CHICAGO, July, 2006 -- Digital library expert Marc Gartler, 34, has been named library director for Harrington College of Design and charged with upgrading the library’s electronic resources.

Prior to joining Harrington, the Logan Square resident worked at the Digital Library Development Center and the Department of Music for the University of Chicago, where he honed his electronic resource skills and completed backend metadata work for art history images.

Gartler’s first objective is to increase the current digital images in the library from 800 to 30,000 by the end of the year.

"I am thrilled to embark on this new challenge where I can utilize my digital library development experience to enhance an already outstanding facility," said Gartler. "I’m committed to ensuring that Harrington’s library truly meets and exceeds the needs of students throughout their educational experience."

Harrington’s design library was established in the 1970s and currently houses 25,000 volumes and 132 periodical titles relevant to aspiring design students and established design professionals.

"Our design library has been recognized as one of the school’s valued resources for many years," said Erik Parks, president of Harrington College of Design. "The addition of increased electronic access guarantees that Harrington will continue to offer a cutting edge resource to students, faculty and the design community into the future."

Gartler received a Master of Science degree from the top-ranked library and information science program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

About Harrington College of Design
Located at 200 W. Madison St., Harrington College of Design is a four-year college that offers flexible scheduling for a bachelor of fine arts degree in interior design, an associate of applied science degree in interior design or digital photography and a new bachelor of fine arts in communication design. Founded in 1931, the college celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

Harrington seeks to foster an environment that maximizes students’ intellectual and artistic potential. The majority of its faculty are practicing interior designers, architects, photographers and fine art professionals. Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Harrington is also recognized as a private college by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The bachelor of fine arts in interior design program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, formerly called Foundation for Interior Designer Education Research (FIDER).
For more information, call 312.939.4975 or visit www.interiordesign.edu.