Washington, DC. On August 12, 1998, Judith C. Russell was named Deputy Director of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS). Since February 1998 Russell has served as NCLIS consultant responsible for reviewing and improving administrative procedures and for assessment and modernization of current information technology.
In selecting Russell to this position, NCLIS director Bob Willard stated, "I have chosen Judy for this position based upon her extensive education, training and expertise, which includes ten years of experience in special libraries and fifteen years in the information industry." Upon the announcement of the appointment, NCLIS Chairperson Jeanne Hurley Simon stated, "The Commission has been rebuilding its professional staff, and we are pleased to have Bob Willard and, now, Judy on board in these two important positions. With their leadership, planning, and energy, NCLIS is not only moving ahead, it is charging forward and tackling a very ambitious agenda."
As Deputy Director, Russell is responsible for management, coordination, and administration of Commission operations under the director's authority. Russell will also work closely with the director in promoting research and development activities for meeting national and international library and informational needs and for coordinating activities at the federal, state, and local levels.
Prior to joining NCLIS, Russell was director, Government Services Division, IDD Enterprises, 1996-1998, working closely with librarians and other federal personnel managers on an electronic retirement information system.
While working at the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), 1991-1996, Russell helped establish GPO Access, a service that provides on-line access to the Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register, the Congressional Record, and other major government publications. She also developed the 1996 Report to the Congress, "Study to Identify Measures Necessary for a Successful Transition to a More Electronic Federal Depository Library Program." In January 1997, NCLIS and GPO signed an interagency agreement under which NCLIS proceeded with a recommendation from that study to perform an "Assessment of Government Electronic Information Products."
Noting her contributions at GPO, Wayne Kelley, former Superintendent of Documents, stated, "Judy played a key leadership role in developing systems and strategies for delivery of electronic government information to the public through the Federal Depository Library Program."
Russell is a graduate of The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, where she received a Master of Science in Library Science. She received her Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, from Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross, Washington, DC. Russell is the recipient of the 1993 Special Award, Federal Computer Week's Federal 100: The Readers' Choice Awards "In recognition of those individuals who have made a difference over the past year in the federal information technology community...."
The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science is a permanent, independent agency of the Federal government charged by Public Law 91-345 to advise the President and Congress on national and international library and information policies and plans.