Here from the Washington Post (registration required) is the obituary for Hardy R. Franklin, the man who revitalized the DC Public Libraries during the 1970s, 80s and 90s, only to resign under a cloud of scandal in 1997. He had Alzheimer’s disease, complicated by diabetes. He died on August 22 at the age of 75 in Washington, DC.
Dr. Franklin took over the struggling library system in July 1974 and during his tenure expanded the library’s holdings fourfold and gained national attention for introducing an online catalogue, launching programs at day-care centers and increasing the library’s services across the city.
In his years as director, he became a popular figure in Washington and a political force. In 1989, he unsuccessfully challenged Mayor Marion Barry for control of the library’s budget in court. He was nationally recognized in library circles and in 1993 was named president of the 52,000-member American Library Association.
Charges of theft, mail fraud and sexual harrassment were raised against him in the last years of his life.
Recent Comments