On Jan. 5, President Barack Obama ’91 announced several key administration posts, including Jonathan Zittrain ’95 as appointee for member of the National Museum and Library Services Board (NMLSB). “These fine public servants bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their important roles,” said President Obama of the appointees. “I know they will serve the American people well.” Zittrain was sworn in on Jan. 17.
Zittrain is the George Bemis Professor of International Law at Harvard Law School, professor of computer science at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School. He is also vice dean for library and information resources at the Harvard Law School Library and co-founder and faculty director of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University. He was the distinguished scholar in residence at the Federal Communications Commission from 2011 to 2012, and chair of its Open Internet Advisory Committee from 2012 to 2014. Zittrain is a member of the board of directors of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the board of advisors for Scientific American. He has a B.S. from Yale University, an M.P.A. from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
The National Museum and Library Services Board is an advisory body that includes the director and deputy directors of Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS) and 20 presidentially appointed members of the general public who have demonstrated expertise in, or commitment to, library or museum services. Informed by its collectively vast experience and knowledge, the board advises the IMLS director on general policy and practices, and on selections for the National Medals for Museum and Library Service.