Drawing upon 49 years of practiced experience in academia and library science, Donald R. Smith is a dedicated figure in his industry. The director of the Morehouse Parish Library in Bastrop, Louisiana, since 2016, he holds a librarian certification from the state of Louisiana. Prior to this prominent appointment, he served the University of Louisiana at Monroe in several capacities, including as dean of information services from 1996 to 2003 and dean of the library from 2003 to 2016. Likewise, he was employed by the University of Tulsa as the associate director of public service and collection development from 1982 to 1988 and associate director of general services from 1998 to 1993.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Smith served Southern Illinois University beginning in 1970 after he obtained a bachelor’s degree. Commencing his tenure as an academic advisor – a position he held for three years – he then moved on to serve as a library instructor until 1978. Concluding his tenure with the university in 1982, he was an education librarian for four years. Alongside his primary responsibilities, Mr. Smith served as a consultant for the Hayner Public Library in Alton, Illinois, and the Tulsa City County Library. He was also a planning consultant for the Delgado Chamber of Commerce in New Orleans and library consultant for Temple B’nai Israel in Monroe, Louisiana.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to library science, Mr. Smith has held numerous roles with the Louisiana Library Association, having most recently been elected as first vice president in July 2019. He will serve as president-elect in 2020. In the past, he was secretary of the scholarship trust, co-chair of the annual conference, network commissioner and academy secretary chair. Further, he was chair of the Louisiana Library Information Network Consortium executive committee, commissioner of the Louisiana Library Network, chairman of the research and development committee of the Louisiana Academy Library Information Network Consortium, and vice president and president-elect of the Louisiana Association of College and Research Libraries.
Married to his wife Elaine Marie Neudecker for 50 wonderful years, Mr. Smith is the proud father of one son and grandfather of one grandchild. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, studying history, reading and spending time with his family.
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