[AMS-announce] ANNOUNCEMENT: Susan Vita, new Chief, Library of Congress Music Division

[ams-announce-admin at list.bowdoin.edu]

Susan Vita Appointed Chief of the Library of Congress Music Division 

Susan Vita has been appointed chief of the Library of Congress Music Division. In coming to the Division, she leaves the post of chief of Special Materials Cataloging, which she held from December 1996 until becoming acting chief of Music in June 2005.

Deanna Marcum, Associate Librarian for Library Services, announced Vita’s appointment.  "Sue Vita came to the Music Division over a year ago as the interim chief. It was quickly apparent that she inspired staff, relied on their expertise to make decisions about future directions and brought fresh and creative approaches to the division’s mission. Sue has already breathed new life and energy into the Music Division. I am delighted to appoint her to the permanent position."

Vita commented on the challenges the Division faces: "Foremost is a greater emphasis on our Web sites and the expansion of our digitization efforts. Of course, we will continue to focus on developing our collection and on improving access to its contents. We also are moving forward actively with expanded outreach efforts that include partnerships with outside institutions, organizations, and other libraries.'

Other goals include the renovation of the Performing Arts Reading Room and consolidation with the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division reading rooms. Vita also is spearheading the efforts of the Division’s Concert Office producers and music specialists to expand of the Library of Congress concert series. 

"I look forward to working with the Division’s superb staff in accomplishing these important objectives. Above all, public service and outreach are paramount in our plans for the Division’s future," Vita said.

During her tenure as acting head of the Music Division, Vita facilitated major initiatives such as the 'Song of America" tour featuring baritone Thomas Hampson; the creation and launch of the Performing Arts Encyclopedia; and the release of Great Conversations in Music, a four-part television program celebrating Eugene Istomin and some of the world’s most renowned artists. She also was instrumental in the acquisition of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Archive. 

Vita has served the Library in various leadership roles, including serving as chief of six different divisions or programs since she joined the Library in March 1976. Her first assignment was head of the Cataloging in Publication program, where she greatly increased the number of participating publishers. Since that time, she has served as chief of the MARC Editorial Division, the Social Sciences Cataloging Division and the Whole Book Cataloging Project, which led to the complete reorganization of the 800-person Cataloging Directorate. Most recently, she was chief of Special Materials Cataloging, the division that handles sound recordings, music and manuscripts, computer files and e-resources, and diverse rare materials. 

Since 1996, Vita has been active in the Music Library Association and is currently serving as the Library of Congress representative to its Bibliographic Control Committee.

The Music Division holds more than 500 special collections in music, theater and dance, with close to 20 million items, including music and literary manuscripts, scores, music literature and periodicals, microforms, and copyright deposits.