Crosby Kemper III

Rufus Crosby Kemper III is the former director of the U.S. National Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Previously director of the Kansas City Public Library from 2005 until 2020, Kemper's other experience includes CEO/Chairman of UMB Financial Corporation.^[1][2]

Official portrait, 2020

In 2005, Kemper co-founded the Show-Me Institute with Rex Sinquefield. He chaired the Missouri Commission on the Future of Higher Education and additionally served on various boards, including the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the Kansas City Symphony, the Black Archives of Mid-America, and acted as founding chairman of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival.^[3] Under his leadership the Kansas City Public Library received the 2008 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, awarded to American libraries and museums with outstanding service to their communities.^[4]

Biography

The son of R. Crosby Kemper Jr. and Cynthia Warrick Kemper,^[5] he was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, then attended Andover, Eton College, and Yale University.^[1] His wife was the historian and Yale University professor María Rosa Menocal.^[6] He later married Deborah Sandler, general director and CEO of Lyric Opera of Kansas City.^[7]

Director of the IMLS

In November 2019, Kemper was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal support for US libraries and museums.^[3] The nomination was supported by the American Library Association,^[4] followed by a January 9, 2020, confirmation in the United States Senate for a term of four years.^[8]

In July 2023, a joint letter from Senators Marco Rubio, Mike Braun and Kevin Cramer was sent to Crosby, urging him to defund the American Library Association due to what they characterized as "actively discriminating" against Brave Books, a publisher of children's books affiliated with actor and Christian activist Kirk Cameron.^[9]

References

1. "Life of Kemper". The Pitch. 2008-11-13. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
2. "Bloomberg People". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
3. "Blunt Applauds Selection of Crosby Kemper to Serve as Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services". www.blunt.senate.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
4. "ALA endorses Kansas City Public Library Director Crosby Kemper III as new IMLS director nominee". American Library Association News and Press Center. 2019-11-13. Archived from the original on 2019-11-15. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
5. "R. C. Kemper 3d And Kate B. Gill To Be Married". The New York Times. 1976-03-28. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
6. "In memoriam: María Rosa Menocal". YaleNews. 2012-10-15. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
7. Lowry, Brian (9 January 2020). "Senate confirms KC's Crosby Kemper III for federal post; Library needs new director". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
8. Lowry, Brian (9 January 2020). "Senate confirms KC's Crosby Kemper III for federal post; Library needs new director". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
9. https://www.rubio.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/07.28.23-Rubio-et-al-Letter-to-IMLS-re-religious-discrimination.pdf