The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress (AFC), and in particular the Veterans History Project (VHP), are delighted to announce that Karen D. Lloyd has been appointed as the new director of the Veterans History Project, effective October 30, 2016. She permanently joins the VHP/AFC staff after a brief stint as acting director for VHP. As such, she is responsible for directing the activities to ensure the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.
Before her current assignment, Karen Lloyd served in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, working directly for the chief of staff. In this role, she was responsible for the coordination of special projects and representing the Librarian’s office as directed. She provided oversight of three International Federation of Library Associations and other organizations pre-conference meetings that were held at the Library in August 2016. She was also detailed to review the outreach efforts of the Veterans History Project in order to identify organizations to target. During her detail she identified and networked with four military affiliated organizations and associations. She also developed products to facilitate implementation of a VHP Volunteer Corps. Prior to her assignment with the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Karen served as the Library’s Strategic Planning Officer. In this capacity she was responsible for Library-wide Strategic Planning, Annual Planning and Program Performance Assessment functions. She was also responsible for the Library’s Risk Management Program.
Karen was commissioned as a Medical Service Corps (MSC) Officer in December 1976 upon graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Indiana University. She served 14 years as an Army Aviator, with six of those as a MSC dustoff pilot and was the first female MSC officer to receive Aviator Wings. In 1986, Karen transferred to the Aviation Branch and commanded the Grafenwoehr Army Airfield and Flight Detachment. She served 14 years as a Comptroller in a variety of positions including Executive Officer to the Comptroller of the Army, Chief Financial Officer of the US Army Aviation Center, Ft. Rucker, Alabama; Land Forces Division Chief, Army Budget Office and Deputy Resource Manager, US Army Corps of Engineers. She retired as a Colonel in December 2004 after 28 years of service.
Her military decorations include the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Expert Field Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge and Senior Army Aviator Badge.
Comments (7)
It’s a wonderful project. The Library of Congress is demonstrating its commitment by naming a tremendously qualified individual to the post. Best wishes for continued success. Ostensibly, the LOC VHP collects, preserves, and provides access to soldiers’ histories, and it does that. But it also provides an opportunity to air issues and even help with PTSD recovery. It has a therapeutic effect for many of the interviewees.
What a wonderful project. We were never able to participate in Story Corps with my Mom, due to her advancing Alz, but after my Dad died, 14 years ago, we found a shoe box of letters that he had written to his parents when he was in the Navy during WWII at age 17. I have some ideas to have my brothers read them, and want to participate in this.
Hi, this looks like a very interesting project. I’m a freelance writer for the IU Alumni Magazine and I’m trying to contact Karen Lloyd for a story as she is an Indiana University graduate. Would you be able to pass my email contact to her and ask her to get in touch with me? Thanks.
To Karen Lloyd:
I’m looking forward to meeting you in Anchorage for the VHP workshops. I will be in town from Thursday noon through Saturday noon. I’ll look for you and the others coming with you on Thursday when I arrive.
Barb Sommer
The Touchstones Discussion Project is delighted to work with and support the efforts of the Veterans History Project. Their work is vital in the preservation of U.S. history and ensuring it is accessible in perpetuity. The chance to learn from and appreciate through first-hand accounts how service and sacrifice have shaped the lives of millions of Americans, and us all, is an invaluable gift. Thank you.
Hi,
I have all military photos and many small stories to go along with them. How can I help in them achieved with LOC?
Thank you for the interview
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Alpine, Texas
Especially Colonel Karen Lloyd
Also the veterans who assisted her.
This can help many generation
again appreciate this work you all are doing