The Center for Research Libraries (CRL) is thrilled to announce that Jacob Nadal, the current Director for Preservation at the Library of Congress, will succeed Greg Eow as President of CRL, effective November 18, 2024. Nadal, a distinguished leader in the field of preservation, brings a wealth of experience in collections management, shared print initiatives, and digital preservation.
Nadal’s impressive career spans leadership roles in independent, academic, and government institutions. At the Library of Congress, where he has served since 2017, Nadal has managed over 200 staff members across divisions including Collections Management, Conservation, Preservation Services, and Research and Testing. His expertise includes overseeing large-scale digitization projects, such as Google Books, and spearheading recovery efforts in post-conflict and disaster-stricken areas, notably through his work with the Liberian Collections Project and the Carter Center.
Nadal's commitment to advancing information access is further demonstrated through his involvement with the HBCU Library Alliance, the Held in Trust program, and various international exchange initiatives. His efforts in coalition-building and policy development are evident from his roles on the U.S. Cultural Heritage Coordinating Committee and as a Library of Congress representative to the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission.
Nadal’s previous roles include serving as Executive Director of the Research Collections and Preservation Consortium (ReCAP) and developing preservation programs for the Brooklyn Historical Society, UCLA, New York Public Library, and Indiana University, where he earned his master’s degree in library science.
The 2024 Presidential Search Committee, appointed by the CRL Board of Directors in March 2024 and chaired by Roger Schonfeld (Ithaka), included members from prominent institutions such as the University of Toronto, The Claremont Colleges, Macalester College, and the University of Denver. The search was facilitated by the executive search firm Isaacson Miller, led by partner Anita Tien.
Jacob Nadal’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for CRL, as he brings a visionary approach to preserving and expanding access to scholarly resources.
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