Gary E. Strong

Gary E. Strong became UCLA's eighth university librarian on September 1, 2003.

His appointment marked a return to California, where he served as California state librarian from 1980 through 1994.  One of his particular accomplishments during that time was the creation of the California Research Bureau, one of the state's finest public policy organizations.  Through its nonpartisan work the bureau demonstrates the importance of strong public policy development in guiding the nation's most populous state and its government.

From 1994 until 2003, Strong was head of the Queens Borough Public Library, the busiest public library in America.  Serving the most diverse county in the nation, this system encompasses a central library, sixty-two community libraries, and six adult learning centers. Strong began his career at the University of Idaho Library and the Latah County (Idaho) Free Library and subsequently worked at the Markeley Residence Library at the University of Michigan, public libraries in Oregon and Washington, and the Washington State Library.

Strong is a native of Moscow, Idaho. He earned a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Idaho in 1966 and a master of library science degree from the University of Michigan in 1967.  He and his wife, Carolyn, have two adult children.