The Biodiversity Heritage Library is pleased to welcome Amanda Boczar and Leora Siegel to two newly created positions on the Executive Committee of the BHL Members’ Council.

Amanda Boczar has been appointed as BHL’s inaugural Strategic Development Officer, while Leora Siegel joins the Executive Committee as its first Member-at-Large. Both appointments strengthen the Committee’s capacity as BHL enters a new era as an independent, community-governed global consortium.

Expanding BHL’s governance capacity

In June 2026, BHL Members approved the creation of the two new positions to provide additional capacity in areas of growing importance to the consortium, including financial sustainability, fundraising, strategic development, and broader representation across the BHL community.

These appointments come at a pivotal time for BHL. Following its transition to a new distributed operational model and administrative home with the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), the consortium is developing its next strategic plan and building the partnerships, resources, and governance structures needed to support its future.

Because amendments to the BHL Bylaws can only be formally adopted at an Annual Meeting, the two positions are provisional and will be presented for ratification at the 2027 BHL Annual Meeting.

Amanda Boczar, Strategic Development Officer

As Strategic Development Officer, Amanda will provide additional financial oversight and help lead fundraising and development activities on behalf of the Executive Committee. She will work closely with the BHL Secretariat and relevant committees to identify, assess, and respond to grant and funding opportunities.

The position will increase BHL’s capacity to pursue new sources of support and coordinate development priorities as the consortium works towards long-term operational sustainability.

Amanda Boczar at the Natural History Museum, London, with the Giant Squid, during the 2026 BHL Annual Meeting. Selfie by Amanda Boczar.

Amanda is Associate Director of Digital Initiatives at the University of South Florida Libraries, one of BHL’s newest Member institutions. She is already playing an active role in the consortium, co-leading the Collection Development and Discovery strategic planning writing group alongside Emily Benton, Prairie Research Institute Librarian at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

I have been working with digital collections related to Florida’s environment and natural history since 2020 and have always looked to BHL as a model for global outreach and community. After USF joined BHL as both a member and a strategic partner for its technical infrastructure in January 2026, I knew I wanted to really dive in and make the most of the opportunity. It has been such a privilege to engage with the other members and affiliates, and I am very honored to have been selected for this new role to help sustain the organization for many more years to come.

– Amanda Boczar, Associate Director of Digital Initiatives, University of South Florida Libraries

Leora Siegel, Member-at-Large

The Member-at-Large provides additional support across the Executive Committee’s activities, assists with special projects, and fills gaps where needed.

As the only Executive Committee position open to staff from both BHL Member and Affiliate institutions, this new role creates an important pathway for wider participation in BHL governance. It also provides an opportunity to gain experience on the Executive Committee and potentially move into another elected position in the future.

Leora Siegel in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Lenhardt Library. Photo by Donna Herendeen.

Leora is Senior Director of the Lenhardt Library at the Chicago Botanic Garden, a long-standing BHL Affiliate. She brings extensive experience in library leadership, collaborative digital initiatives, and the stewardship of botanical and biodiversity information. In 2024, Leora co-hosted the BHL Annual Meeting in Chicago, welcoming the BHL community to the Chicago Botanic Garden and contributing extensively to the meeting’s program. Leora is also contributing to BHL’s strategic planning as a member of the Operational Sustainability writing group.

Through collaborations with BHL colleagues over the past 10 years as an Affiliate member, and witnessing BHL’s amazing growth and development, I’m honored to serve on the Executive Committee and contribute as BHL becomes fully independent.

– Leora Siegel, Senior Director, Lenhardt Library, Chicago Botanic Garden

Strengthening BHL for its next chapter

Amanda and Leora officially joined the BHL Executive Committee in July. Their appointments expand the range of skills, experience, and perspectives represented on the Executive Committee at this important stage in BHL’s development.

We are delighted to welcome Amanda and Leora to the Executive Committee. Leora will be well known to many in the BHL community and, coming from an Affiliate institution, brings both extensive experience and new perspectives to the Committee. Amanda joins us with a wealth of ideas and previous successes in a role that is vital to BHL’s long-term sustainability. With the expansion of the Executive Committee complete, and the addition of two such capable colleagues, we are now well placed to secure a bright and stable future for BHL.

– Richard Wragg, Vice Chair, BHL Executive Committee and Head of Library and Archives at the Natural History Museum, London

Please join us in welcoming Amanda and Leora to the BHL Executive Committee. We look forward to working with them as BHL builds a strong, sustainable, and collaborative future for open biodiversity knowledge.

Dr. Nancy E. Gwinn, Retiring Director of Smithsonian Libraries.

This month, the Smithsonian celebrates the career of Dr. Nancy E. Gwinn, retiring Director of Smithsonian Libraries. Gwinn’s Smithsonian career began in 1984 when she joined the Libraries, becoming director in 1997. During her tenure, she has made significant contributions to the Smithsonian, the global library community, and the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL).

As the director of the Smithsonian Libraries, home to BHL’s headquarters, Gwinn has played a vital role in the founding and development of BHL. She was instrumental in securing dedicated funding for the program at Smithsonian Libraries and founding and expanding the BHL Secretariat. Through her service as the Chair (2012-2017) and Immediate Past-Chair (2017-2019) of the BHL Executive Committee, Gwinn provided key leadership for BHL’s strategic direction and the growth and stewardship of the consortium’s partnerships.

Martin R. Kalfatovic, the current BHL Program Director, noted: “In her service to BHL, Nancy provided invaluable direct guidance on many aspects of BHL, particularly in the development of the BHL governance model. My predecessor, Tom Garnett, and I both benefited from Nancy’s ability to see the big picture and keep BHL moving forward. As BHL continues to grow and expand, Nancy’s legacy will remain a motivating force.”

BHL Member representatives (L to R) Jane Smith (Natural History Museum, London), Wai Yin Pryke (National Libraries, Singapore), and Constance Rinaldo (Ernst Mayr Library, Harvard University) recognize Dr. Nancy E. Gwinn during a presentation ceremony honoring her five years as Chair of the BHL Executive Committee.

In addition to her significant contributions to BHL, Gwinn’s leadership brought the Smithsonian Libraries to a new level of activity and recognition. During her career:

• The Libraries became the Smithsonian’s principal resource for digital access to its collections, including the creation of new tools for scholars and students.
• The preservation program grew beyond the Book Conservation Laboratory to incorporate environmental monitoring and preservation microfilming.
• The Libraries established its first Advisory Board and inaugurated an energetic advancement program, raising nearly $20,000,000 to support new programs and operations.
• The Libraries successfully promoted new awareness and use of its unique special collections, world’s fairs and historical trade catalogs.
• In 1991, the Libraries acquired an exhibition gallery in the National Museum of American History and initiated an exhibition, publication, and outreach program to bring its treasures to a broad audience.
• The Libraries launched fellowship and intern programs to bring researchers and budding librarians to work with staff and collections.

Please join us in thanking Dr. Gwinn for her dedication and impact on librarianship, the Smithsonian, and BHL. Her passion and leadership will continue to inspire the many who were fortunate to know and work with her. We at BHL send Dr. Gwinn our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes in retirement.

Gwinn (far right) and fellow BHL representatives celebrate BHL’s 10th anniversary during a “birthday celebration” at the Natural History Museum in London in 2016.

BHL representatives at the 2019 BHL Annual Meeting, hosted by the Albert R. Mann Library of Cornell University. Photo by: Jenny Leijonhufvud.

The 2019 BHL Annual Meeting was held 29 April – 3 May in Ithaca, New York. Hosted by the Albert R. Mann Library of Cornell University, the Meeting brought together 34 participants from 23 institutions, representing 9 countries.

As BHL Program Director Martin Kalfatovic noted: “The BHL Annual meeting is an opportunity for the partners, from all over the world, to come together to chart the course of the BHL for the coming year. The conversations, both formal and informal, are key to keeping the Library relevant to both its global user community and the partners that sustain the BHL.”

The meeting agenda included reports on the state of the consortium, facilitated discussions around key program areas, a strategic planning session, a panel session with BHL partner representatives, a public event with a panel of Cornell scientists, and many amazing tours and excursions.

Gerald Beasley (University Librarian, Cornell University) welcoming attendees to the 2019 BHL Annual Meeting at the Albert R. Mann Library. Photo by: Nicole Kearney.

The business portion of the meeting opened with a presentation by Constance Rinaldo (Chair, BHL Members’ Council) on a vision for the next generation of BHL (The State of the BHL: Future Thoughts). Martin Kalfatovic (BHL Program Director) followed with a report covering BHL’s 2018 program activities, a financial update, anticipated projects in 2019, and thoughts on future directions and priorities for BHL (BHL: Past>Present>Future). BHL Secretariat staff Bianca Crowley (BHL Collections Manager) and Grace Costantino (BHL Outreach and Communication Manager) wrapped up the business meeting with a BHL Collection Management Update and BHL Outreach Highlights from 2018.

Following the business sessions, a series of facilitated discussions provided partner representatives with opportunities to help inform strategies around key program topics including content development methods, partnerships, and BHL’s relationship with science communities.

BHL has also begun the process of drafting our next strategic plan, effective for 2020-2025. During a strategic planning session at the meeting, partner representatives shared their thoughts on the relevance of the goals in BHL’s current plan, identifying areas in need of changes or further consideration, and working committees to address each goal for the new plan were established.

2019-2021 BHL Executive Committee (L to R): Constance Rinaldo (Chair); Jane Smith (Vice-Chair); Nancy Gwinn (Immediate Past Chair); David Iggulden (Secretary). Photo by: Bianca Crowley.

A key item of business at the meeting was the election of the BHL Executive Committee for the 2019-2021 term. The Executive Committee provides strategic leadership and governance decisions for BHL. Officers are elected for two-year terms by the BHL Members’ Council, which is comprised of one representative from each BHL Member institution.

The results of the election include:

• Constance Rinaldo (Ernst Mayr Library, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University), Chair;
• Jane Smith (Natural History Museum Library, London), Vice-Chair;
• David Iggulden (Library, Art & Archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), Secretary.

Nancy Gwinn (Smithsonian Libraries) also serves on the committee as the Immediate Past Chair.

In addition to the business portions of the meeting, the program also included two panel sessions, one with BHL partner representatives and another as part of a public event with Cornell scientists.

Michael Cook (Cornell University, Albert R. Mann Library) presenting on the BHL Partners Reflection Panel. Photo by: Martin Kalfatovic.

David Iggulden (Kew Gardens) presenting on the BHL Partners Reflection Panel. Photo by: Martin Kalfatovic.

Nicole Kearney (Museums Victoria / BHL Australia) presenting on the BHL Partners Reflection Panel. Photo by: Martin Kalfatovic.

Jana Hoffmann and Elisa Herrmann (Museum für Naturkunde (MfN) Berlin) presenting on the BHL Partners Reflection Panel. Photo by: Martin Kalfatovic.

During the BHL Partners Reflection Panel on 1 May, representatives from Cornell University, Kew Gardens, BHL Australia, and MfN Berlin reflected on their experiences as members of the BHL consortium. Follow the links below to view each presentation:

• One Small Step for BHL, One Giant Leap for Mann. Michael Cook, Cornell University;
• Right on Kew – The Story of BHL at the Royal Botanic Gardens. David Iggulden, Kew Gardens;
• BHL Australia and (the Newly Launched) BHL New Zealand. Nicole Kearney, Museums Victoria / BHL Australia;
• Lining up for BHL – Digitizing the Library of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin. Jana Hoffmann and Elisa Herrmann, MfN Berlin.

Top: Speakers at the BHL Public Day Panel Session, L to R: Prof. Kathie Hodge; Dr. Karen Penders St. Clair; Prof. Tom Seeley. Below: Promotional Flyer for the public event. Photos and graphic courtesy of Mann Library.

On the evening of 1 May, Mann Library and BHL presented a special public program entitled Nature Abhors a Paywall: Cornell Life Scientists Reflect on Open Science and the Historical Record. During the event, three Cornell scientists — neurobiologist Tom Seeley, mycologist Kathie Hodge, and science historian Karen Penders St. Clair — highlighted the role that the historical scientific record has played in their own research. The session was followed by a public reception in the Mann Gallery in conjunction with Mann’s newest exhibit: PolliNation: Artists Crossing Borders with Scientists to Explore the Value of Pollinator Health. Follow the links below to view each speaker’s presentation:

• Dr. Karen Penders St. Clair
• Prof. Kathie Hodge
• Prof. Tom Seeley

A recording of the public event will be made available via Cornell’s system in the future.

Attendees at the BHL Public Day Panel Session: Nature Abhors a Paywall. Photo by: Grace Costantino.

Attendees at the meeting also had the opportunity to participate in some wonderful tours and social events.

BHL representatives on the Cascadilla Gorge tour. Photo by: Nicole Kearney.

“Ithaca was an ideal location for the 2019 BHL Annual Meeting,” noted Constance Rinaldo, Chair of the BHL Members’ Council. “Those attending the meeting were treated to amazing excursions that exposed them to the unique biodiversity of the Finger Lakes region as well as the bibliographic treasures held by the libraries at Cornell University.”

On 29 April, attendees had the option of participating in a trail hike of Cascadilla Gorge or a tour of Mann Library collections related to female botanical illustrations. An informal get-together at the historic Argos Inn provided attendees with a chance to gather and chat with fellow BHL colleagues before the business meetings began the following day.

Group photo of meeting attendees during the Cascadilla Gorge tour. Photo credit: Martin Kalfatovic.

Throughout the meeting days, the Mann Library staff arranged for a variety of fascinating tours across the campus, including a visit to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Rare and Manuscript Collections at Kroch Library, and tours of the Bailey Conservatory and Hortorium.

Anne Wollstonecraft’s manuscript, Specimens of the Plants & Fruits of the Island of Cuba, on display during the tour of the Rare Book and Manuscripts Collection at Kroch Library. Photo by: Grace Costantino.

Librarian Peter Fraissinet highlighting collections from the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium during a tour for Annual Meeting attendees. Photo by: Nicole Kearney.

On the Friday following the meetings (3 May), a group of attendees enjoyed an excursion to Taughannock Falls State Park followed by visits to a local cidery and winery, complete with tastings!

Group photo of meeting attendees at Taughannock Falls State Park during the Friday, 3 May excursion. Photo credit: Martin Kalfatovic.

The meeting culminated with the reveal of the 2020 BHL Annual Meeting host: the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN) in Paris! Gildas Illien (Director of Libraries and Documentation at MNHN and the MNHN Member representative to BHL) presented an overview of the wonderful facilities and accommodations planned for the meeting and delighted attendees with previews of some of the activities, tours, and events being planned.

Host appreciation ceremony during the closing reception at the 2019 BHL Annual Meeting. Michael Cook (Albert R. Mann Library, Cornell University, left) being thanked by Constance Rinaldo (BHL Executive Committee Chair, center) and Martin Kalfatovic (BHL Program Director, right). Photo by: Grace Costantino.

We look forward to gathering again in Paris for the 2020 meeting, and extend our sincere thanks to Cornell staff for hosting and organizing such a fantastic meeting. In particular, thanks to Michael Cook (Head of Collections at the Albert R. Mann Library and the Cornell Member representative to BHL) for leading the planning activities at Cornell, as well as the many other Cornell staff members who provided planning and meeting support, including: Gerald Beasley (University Librarian), Mary Ochs (Director of Mann Library), Deborah Cooper (Digital & Special Collections Librarian), Lianna May (Administrative Coordinator), Betsy Elswit (Collections Specialist), and Sarah Kennedy (Collection Development Librarian).