New York State Library | About the New York State Library
Janet Martin Welch has been Assistant Commissioner for Libraries and State Librarian for New York since 1997. Reporting to the Commissioner of Education, Mrs. Welch has responsibility for the State Research Library and the $100-million statewide library development program.
A nationally recognized expert in public awareness, library advocacy, and coalition building, Mrs. Welch brought to the State Library an unusual breadth and depth of library experience. She led a coalition of library leaders in a successful application for funding from the Gates Library Initiative. This grant brings computers, Internet access, and training to New York's neediest libraries, and takes a giant step toward making Internet access a reality for all New Yorkers. She has brought together school, public, academic, and corporate libraries and has forged partnerships among libraries, the business community, and other organizations.
Mrs. Welch worked closely with the Regents Commission on Library Services to develop a plan to improve library services in New York State. Under her leadership, the Commission's plan has become the foundation for the New Century Libraries initiative, which includes creation of NOVEL, New York's first statewide virtual library.
Welch has held leadership positions in university, public, school and corporate libraries. She is a certified School Library Media Specialist. Prior to her appointment to the New York State Library, Mrs. Welch served as Director of the Rochester Regional Library Council, a network of 500 libraries in the Rochester, New York area.
Serving as Chair of the New York Library Association's Legislative Committee, Mrs. Welch worked closely with legislative leaders to advance successful omnibus library bills totaling more than $31 million in new annual library funding. A past president of the New York Library Association, Mrs. Welch was architect of NYLA's successful Public Awareness Project and was instrumental in obtaining foundation support for library advocacy efforts that led to a national model of public awareness. She also chaired the American Library Association's Equity on the Information Superhighway campaign, which led to a new vision of library services for the 21st century.
Mrs. Welch's awards include the American Library Association Award for Nationwide Library Legislative Success and Improvement of Library Services for the American People and NYLA President's Award for development and leadership of the nationwide Public Awareness of Libraries Campaign. In June 2005 she was honored by the American Library Association for her outstanding work in supporting and strengthening library services in New York State.
Mrs. Welch is a Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude graduate of Bucknell University. She earned her Masters of Library Science degree from Rutgers University.