BHL Technical Coordinator
BHL Technical Team
Joel Richard has supported BHL’s technical operations since 2009 and continues to play a vital role as BHL Technical Coordinator. Based at the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, where he serves as Head of Web and IT, Joel brings more than three decades of experience in software engineering, web development, and infrastructure design.
Joel is the lead developer and maintainer of Macaw, BHL’s content integration and metadata collection system, which has enabled millions of pages to flow into BHL from partners around the world. He has overseen the reliability and integration of BHL’s technical systems, providing continuity and deep institutional knowledge across a complex, long-running technical platform.
As BHL moves forward, Joel will continue to support BHL in his role as Technical Coordinator, ensuring technical stability and continuity. He remains a key part of BHL’s operational ecosystem, and his long-standing commitment to BHL, alongside his broader advocacy for open and accessible infrastructure, will continue to shape and strengthen BHL’s technical future.