New Chief Librarian Joins The Rakow Research Library

James Galbraith has been appointed as the new chief librarian of The Juliette K. and Leonard S. Rakow Research Library of The Corning Museum of Glass, the world’s foremost library on the art and history of glass and glassmaking.

Galbraith comes to the Museum from DePaul University in Chicago, IL, where he served as the associate director for collections and scholarly resources. Galbraith’s background is in library management. At DePaul, he managed the library’s collections and led the first phase of a multi-million dollar renovation project in 2011. He has held collection development positions in academic libraries since 1999, including the University of California–Irvine, Wake Forest University and Columbia University. His professional affiliations include the American Library Association and the Association of College and Research Libraries.

“As the library of record on glass art and glassmaking, the Rakow Research Library’s collection is continually expanding,” says Karol Wight, the Museum’s executive director. “Jim’s expertise in collection development and strategic planning will be an asset for the future of the Library’s collections and services.”

As chief librarian, Galbraith will oversee all aspects of the Rakow Library, including the archives, digital and print collections, public services, digital initiatives, library acquisitions, exhibitions, and the Museum’s office of rights and reproductions.

Galbraith holds a master’s of library science degree from University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. He received a master’s degree in history from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor’s degree from State University of New York at Buffalo.

He will begin his appointment at The Corning Museum of Glass on March 25, 2013.

The Juliette K. and Leonard S. Rakow Research Library, founded as part of The Corning Museum of Glass in 1951, is a public institution that houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of materials on the art and history of glass and glassmaking. The Library collection ranges from medieval manuscripts to original works of art on paper to the latest information on techniques used by studio artists. In addition, yearly exhibitions feature rare items from the collection. The Library is open to the public and offers inter-library loan and a number of online services at www.cmog.org/library.