January 26, 1996 Library of Congress Names Thomas P. Carney Acting Deputy Librarian

Contact: Helen Dalrymple (202) 707-1940

James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress, today announced the temporary appointment of Thomas P. Carney as Deputy Librarian of Congress, effective February 4.

Mr. Carney will serve as the Library's chief operating officer and will be a member of the Library's executive committee, the institution's top policy-making body.

Dr. Billington said Mr. Carney would be "responsible for the overall administration and management of internal Library operations, consistent with my executive direction and established policies."

During Mr. Carney's temporary appointment, said Dr. Billington, "we will post a vacancy announcement for Deputy Librarian and conduct a nationwide executive search to assure a rich applicant pool."

Mr. Carney is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, who has served as a management and human resources consultant to major U.S. corporations and other institutions. He has spent several months analyzing management at the Library of Congress. Prior to his retirement from the Army in 1994, he was Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, responsible for management of all military and civilian personnel in active and reserve components of the U.S. Army.

His Army career included two tours in Vietnam and extensive staff and command experience. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (thrice), and the Senior Parachutist Badge (with Combat Star).

Dr. Billington also announced that Suzanne E. Thorin, a 16-year Library staffer who has served as his chief of staff since 1992, is being reassigned to the new position of AssociateLibrarian with specific line responsibility for managing and directing the Library's vital "infrastructure" services -- including financial, human resources, information technology, integrated support -- as well as the National Digital Library Program.

Jo Ann C. Jenkins, the Librarian's senior advisor for diversity, succeeds Ms. Thorin as Dr. Billington's chief of staff. Ms. Jenkins, a 13-year veteran of management in several major federal agencies and the private sector, joined the Library of Congress in 1994.

Both Ms. Jenkins and Ms. Thorin will also serve on the Library's executive committee.

Lastly, Dr. Billington announced the appointment of Michael Davidson, former legal counsel for the U.S. Senate, as acting General Counsel during the medical leave of General Counsel John J. Kominski.

These staff changes, with the exception of Mr. Davidson's appointment, grew out of a reorganization last autumn designed to streamline management and achieve efficiencies through restructuring.

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PR 96-018
1996-01-26
ISSN 0731-3527