BHL Program Director accepts Computerworld laureate award

As noted in our blog post from March 22, 2013, BHL was named a 2013 Computerworld Honors Program Laureate.

On June 3rd, BHL Chair Nancy Gwinn and I accepted the award on behalf of BHL and BHL staff at the Computerworld Honors Laureate Ceremony and Awards gala held in the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC.

In addition to the presentation of the laureate medals, the event was keynoted by Vinton Cerf, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist at Google, and, truly, one of the “creators of the Internet.”

About the award:

Established in 1988, and celebrating its 25th anniversary, The Computerworld Honors Program brings together the men, women, organizations and institutions around the world whose visionary applications of information technology promote positive social, economic and educational change.

Laureates’ achievements will be recognized publicly at the Computerworld Honors Laureate Ceremony and Awards Gala being held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington D.C. on June 3, 2013. During this black tie ceremony, honorees are presented with a medallion inscribed with the Program’s mission, “A Search for New Heroes.” Additional recognition is given to five Laureates in each category who, selected by Program Judges to represent outstanding innovation, become Finalists for the 21st Century Achievement Award. One Finalist in each category is then named a 21st Century Achievement award winner, receiving special recognition by the Program Judges to be the very best among their peers.

Avatar for Martin R. Kalfatovic

Martin R. Kalfatovic is BHL Program Director and Associate Director, Digital Programs and Initiatives Division, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. As the BHL Program Director, Mr. Kalfatovic functions as the executive director and manager of the international consortium of over 80 natural history, botanical garden, government, and university libraries engaged in the mass digitization of taxonomic literature. The position also serves as a key contact for government, NGO, and academic leaders at both the national and international level. Within his role at Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, Mr. Kalfatovic is responsible for the Libraries’ active Digital Library program. This program includes the creation of digital editions of library materials, online exhibitions, and new digital publications.