Since 1802, U.S. Presidents and Senate confirmations have appointed an uninterrupted series of white men to head the Library of Congress. Of those 13 lifetime appointments, only 2 had a library science degree or any library experience to recommend themselves to the position.
Because librarianship is a profession dominated by women (as of 2011 --a whopping 83%) holding graduate degrees in library & information science; this is a gross lack of representation of the field.
In light of Dr. James Billington's pending retirement under fire as Librarian of Congress, January 1st, 2016, we urge U.S. President Barack Obama to select the first female Librarian among a large pool of highly qualified, appropriately credentialed women of all races who embrace technology and the future of libraries.