Henriette Avram

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Henriette Davidson Avram (1919 - 2006) was a computer programmer and systems analyst who developed the MARC format (Machine Readable Cataloging), which is the national and international data standard for bibliographic and holdings information in libraries. Avram's development of the MARC format in the late 1960s and early 1970s at the Library of Congress had a revolutionizing effect on the practice of librarianship, making possible the automation of many library functions and making it possible to share information electronically between libraries using pre-existing cataloging standards.

Henriette Avram was born on October 7, 1919 in New York City. She attended Hunter College as a pre-medical student for two years. In 1942 she married Herbert Avram, who worked at the National Security Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1952 her husband helped her land a job at the National Security Agency, where she spent seven years working as a computer programmer and data analyst. Largely self-taught, she also studied advanced mathematics at George Washington University. After a brief period in the private sector, Avram joined the Library of Congress in 1965, where she was assigned to develop an electronic cataloging format. The pilot MARC project was completed in 1968. Avram oversaw further developments to the MARC format over the years and led the department responsible for most automation and networking functions, finally heading a department of 1,700 people. She retired from the Library of Congress in 1992.

Avarm is the author of the book, MARC, its history and implications, published by the Library of Congress in 1975 (ISBN 0844401765).

Henriette Avram died on April 22, 2006 at 86 years of age.

[edit] Further reading

Fineberg, G.M. (1992). Portrait of a pioneer: Henriette Avram left indelible mark on library profession. Library of Congress Information Bulletin, 51, 99-104.

Grinstein, L.S., & Yarmish, R. (1990). Selected published work of Henriette Davidson Avram: An annotated bibliography. Information Technology and Libraries, 9, 7-32.

Pattie, L. (1998). Henriette Davidson Avram, the great legacy. Cataloging & Classification Quarterly, 25, 67-81.

Rather, L.J., & Wiggins, B. (1989). Henriette D. Avram: Close-up on the career of a towering figure in library automation and bibliographic control. American Libraries, 20(9), 855-859.

Schudel, Matt, "Henriette D. Avram; Transformed Libraries," Washington Post (Friday, April 28, 2006), p. B06.