Didier Named Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum
Press Release · Thursday, January 6, 2005

College Park, MD

Archivist of the United States John W. Carlin announced today the selection of Dr. Elaine K. Didier as the new Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. The appointment is effective January 10, 2005.

Dr. Didier, who is a professor and former dean of the Kresge Library at Oakland University in Michigan, will succeed Dennis Daellenbach who retired on January 1, 2005.

In announcing his selection, Archivist John Carlin praised Dr. Didier as someone with a "wealth of experience as a leader in higher education in Michigan and as an executive leader facilitating outreach and alliances in support of learning programs." Carlin went on to say he is most impressed with Dr. Didier's ideas on how to use today's technology to expand educational outreach efforts at the library and museum.

President Ford said, "I am tremendously pleased by the Archivist's decision to name Elaine Didier as the new Library Director. She has the energy, experience and enthusiasm to sustain and enhance the progress that's been made at the Library and Museum. I am particularly pleased by her interest in partnering with civic leaders and the academic and business communities in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and the region to provide new opportunities for educational programming."

The President went on to say, "I want to thank Dennis Daellenbach for his hard work and dedication as Director and to wish him all the best as he moves on to a well-earned retirement."

In addition to her work at Oakland University, Dr. Didier served in a number of positions at the University of Michigan from 1977-1999, including Interim Director of Academic Outreach, Associate Dean of the Rackham School of Graduate Studies, and Director of Information Resources at the School of Business Administration. She has also served as Adjunct Associate Professor for the School of Information and director of the Erasmus/Michigan Master of Business Informatics Program. In other professional activities, she served as President of the Michigan Library Association and is currently serving as an elected member to the Executive Board of the Association of College and Research Libraries and represents the association on the American Library Association Council. Appointed by then-Governor Engler to the Library of Michigan Board in 2001, she was elected to chair the board for 2003-04.

Dr. Didier earned B.A., A.M.L.S, and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Michigan and studied at Oxford. Dr. Didier lives in Plymouth, Michigan with her husband Gordon.

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Media may contact the National Archives Public Affairs Staff at (202) 501-5526.

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