Jennifer Ferretti, who has served as the Director of CLIR’s Digital Library Federation (DLF) since 2021, will be stepping down from her role to become the Director of Archives at the Texas After Violence Project. Ferretti, who joined DLF after six years at the Maryland Institute College of Art, will conclude her tenure on October 24.
During her tenure, Ferretti played a pivotal role in expanding and diversifying the DLF community. She fostered important connections with institutions such as liberal arts colleges, museums, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), civic data groups, and archives, all while prioritizing inclusivity and social justice in digital library practices. Her leadership in building these relationships was instrumental in furthering DLF’s mission of collaboration and knowledge sharing among digital library professionals. This work has been particularly significant within the GLAM community, where inclusivity and diverse perspectives are essential for shaping the future of cultural preservation and access to knowledge.
Under Ferretti’s guidance, DLF hosted Toward Radical Imagination, a two-day online event that centered HBCUs and digital libraries, celebrating the conclusion of the Authenticity Project, an IMLS-funded mentorship program, which was co-led with HBCU Library Alliance. This program was critical in elevating diverse voices and broadening DLF’s reach in underrepresented communities.
Ferretti also established new mentorship models within DLF, focusing on building stronger networks among practitioners at different career stages. Additionally, she worked to promote and strengthen DLF’s Working Groups, which made significant strides under her leadership. One example is DLF’s recent strategic growth grant from the Society of American Archivists Foundation, which further empowered Working Groups to address key issues in digital preservation and library services.
CLIR’s president Chuck Henry said, “Jenny’s vision and strategic acumen have anchored DLF during a period of evolution and growth, while helping to reshape and broaden our understanding of a digital library and its capacity for more equitable, open, and multivocal knowledge in service to the public good. On a personal note, I am grateful for the opportunity of learning from Jenny’s wise and empathetic leadership, and wish her the very best.”
Information on the transition and interim leadership will be shared in the coming weeks. For more on her accomplishments and vision, visit the Toward Radical Imagination event page here and read about DLF’s Working Groups here.