Harvard University Archives
Richard De Gennaro died October 11, 2024, in Sarasota, Florida, at age 98.
Richard started his professional career in the reference department of the New York Public Library in 1956. He went to Harvard in 1958 where, for the next 12 years, he held increasingly responsible positions, including senior associate university librarian. He established Harvard’s automation program and initiated and directed the computer-based Widener Library shelflist conversion and publication project. During a leave from Harvard in 1967–1968 he was visiting professor at the University of Southern California. He served as director of libraries at the University of Pennsylvania 1970–1986 and director of the New York Public Library 1987–1990. In 1991, he returned to Harvard as the Roy E. Larsen Librarian of Harvard College, in which position he oversaw the operations and strategic planning of many of the university’s main libraries.
Richard was a trailblazer in the introduction of computers to libraries and became an internationally recognized authority on library management and information technology. He published numerous articles as well as the book Libraries, Technology, and the Information Marketplace. He received many awards, including the American Library Association (ALA) Melvil Dewey Medal in 1986, the Academic Librarian of the Year award in 1991, and the Hugh Atkinson award in 1993.
Richard served as president of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) in 1975. He was also chairman of the Research Libraries Group (RLG) Board of Governors and president of ALA’s Information Science and Automation Division (later Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) and now part of ALA Core). He served on numerous other committees, councils, and advisory boards, including as an advisor to JSTOR in its early years.
“Every librarian should know of Richard De Gennaro,” said ARL Executive Director Andrew K. Pace. “I consider him among the founding fathers and mothers of library systems. But that was just one of many great accomplishments.”
ARL Executive Director Emeritus Duane E. Webster said, “Few research librarians have ever had a greater impact on the profession than Richard De Gennaro. As a former Harvard College librarian and president of the Association of Research Libraries, he was a visionary who understood the transformative power of knowledge and the importance in investing in the development of future generations of librarians. But beyond his professional accomplishments, Richard was a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration to many. His warmth, kindness, and genuine interest in others made him not just a leader, but a beloved figure in our community. He took the time to listen, to share his wisdom, and to encourage those around him to pursue their passions and dreams.”
A private celebration of life was held for family. No charitable donations in Richard’s memory are suggested or solicited.
