Charles E. Pierce, Jr., Director of The Pierpont Morgan Library, announced today the appointment of Maria L. Fredericks as the Drue Heinz Book Conservator. She will join the staff of the Library's Thaw Conservation Center, a world class laboratory for conservation of works on paper and for conservation studies.

Ms. Fredericks was most recently Head of Conservation at Columbia University Libraries, where she managed the systemwide book conservation program for more than twenty libraries.

"Maria Fredericks brings outstanding talent and skill to this important position," Mr. Pierce said. "She has wide-ranging experience at some of the most prestigious rare book and manuscript libraries in this country and has an outstanding track record of achievement. We are delighted she is joining the staff of the Morgan Library."

In addition to working at Columbia University, Ms. Fredericks has held positions at the Library of Congress, the Newberry Library in Chicago, the Huntington Library in San Marino, California, and the Winterthur Museum in Winterthur, Delaware. She has also contributed to conservation and preservation efforts on rare manuscripts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York.

Ms. Fredericks has taught and lectured extensively on book conservation and belongs to numerous professional associations. She is a graduate of Swarthmore College with a B.A. in art history.

Mr. Pierce also acknowledged the generosity of Drue Heinz in providing funds to endow the position of book conservator. "Book conservation is at the very core of the Morgan Library's work and mission, and the extraordinary philanthropy of Mrs. Heinz allows us to attract the very best talent in the field," he said. "We are forever grateful for her support."

The Morgan Library, which began as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913) and became a public institution in 1924, is a preeminent repository for the history, art, and literature of Western civilization from 4000 B.C. to the twentieth century. It is currently closed for a major expansion and renovation designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Renzo Piano. The Morgan is scheduled to reopen in spring 2006.