New Church Librarian

The First Presidency has announced the appointment of a Church Librarian, Donald T. Schmidt. He will serve under Elder Alvin R. Dyer of the Historical Department in a move aimed at strengthening the library and research facilities of the Church.

With this appointment, the Historical Department now has three divisions: Church Historian (Dr. Leonard J. Arrington), Church Archivist (Earl E. Olsen), and Church Librarian (Elder Schmidt).

The newly named librarian, who has been serving as assistant director of BYU libraries, will also be chairman of the Church’s Library Coordinating Committee.

“It is absolutely vital to the continuing education of the Saints that teachers and leaders learn of the great variety of audio and visual aids available for enhancing gospel lessons—and that they use them whenever possible. A knowledge of what meetinghouse libraries contain and a wise usage of those materials, together with the teacher development program, will provide a kind of gospel instruction superior to that found anywhere in the world. Progress in this area has been good, but there is still much more that we can do,” Brother Schmidt said.

Commenting about the Church library facilities at the soon-to-be completed General Church Office Building, Brother Schmidt noted that they will feature an open stack design to encourage and help scholars and researchers find the materials they need. Primary source materials, with some restrictions, will be available to the public.

Brother Schmidt is high priests group leader in the Oak Hills Fifth Ward, Sharon East Stake.