The Libraries’ new web developer Joel Richard has come a long way since taking dinosaur classes at the Smithsonian as a child. An integral member of the Libraries' Digital Services Division, located in the National Museum of Natural History, Richard’s goal is to help define and build the overall internet strategies for the Libraries, including working on the Libraries' website, DSpace (AKA Smithsonian Digital Repository) and the Galaxy of Images. He is currently involved with an audio archive project for the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden as well as assisting in overcoming challenges in much-needed upgrades to the DSpace system .
Born and raised in Lafayette, La., Richard graduated from the State University of New York at Stony Brook with a bachelor of science degree in computer science. He has lived in the DC area for 15 years, and before joining the Libraries, owned a business in internet consulting. A life-long fan of the Smithsonian, Richard used to spend summers in high school wandering around Smithsonian museums, attended the Folklife Fesitval every summer, and has helped out as a behind-the-scenes volunteer for the National Postal Museum.
Richard's many interests include cooking, traveling, photography, and philately with an emphasis on first-day covers, specifically those with digital color postmarks. Richard is currently honing his baking skills to create the perfect bread recipe, and has travelled to Germany, Iceland, and many places in the U.S. An Alexandria, VA resident, Richard recommends Restaurant Eve. His favorite movie is The Nightmare Before Christmas.—Liz O'Brien
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