Robert M. Hayes

Robert M. Hayes

Robert M. Hayes (1926-2022) was a digital data storage and retrieval pioneer. Formally trained in mathematics, Hayes contributed significantly to a number of advances in library and information sciences. Hayes pioneered the development of digital data storage and retrieval, information transfer, systems analysis and design research, and international consultation vis-à-vis library networks. He taught, published and consulted widely and had a noteworthy impact on information policy, library automation, and the economics of research library operations.

Life

Hayes was born in New York City on December 3, 1926; married Alice Peters, 1952; received BA (1947), MA (1949), and PhD (1952) in mathematics at UCLA; mathematician, National Bureau of Standards, Washington and Los Angeles, 1949-52; member, technical staff, Hughes Aircraft Company, 1952-54; head of applications group, National Cash Register Company, 1954-55; head, business systems group, Magnavox Company, 1955-60; Vice President and Science Director, Electrada Corporation, Los Angeles, 1960-64; President, Advanced Information Systems Incorporated, Los Angeles, 1960-64.

Hayes served as lecturer at UCLA in the Mathematics Department (1952-1964), as Director of the Institute of Library Research, UCLA and UC Berkeley (1965-1970) and Dean of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS), UCLA (1974-1989). In 1991, after twenty-seven years of service on the faculty of GSLIS/UCLA, Hayes retired and became Professor Emeritus.

Hayes was also visiting lecturer at a number of national and international institutions. co-author of various publications dealing with information storage and retrieval.

Contributions

Hayes taught mathematics and information science at UCLA. He worked at: Dean of the Library and Information Science Graduate School at UCLA 1975-?. He worked with Joseph Becker on Library/USA - an exhibit at the World's Fair in 1964 to introduce online retrieval to the general public (Bellardo & Bourne). For both the Seattle and New York World's Fairs--see Becker's activities.

According to Irene Farkas-Conn, Hayes had a "lifetime influence on the field." He was an expert on systems. He co-authored (with Joseph Becker) Information Storage and Retrieval, the most comprehensive text in the field at that time (1962). He was a consultant on library and information systems.

Publications (Selected)

A detailed list through 1986 is available as: "Publications of Robert Mayo Hayes, 1952 - 1987." In: Leadership for research libraries: A festschrift for Robert M. Hayes, ed. by Anne Woodsworth and Barbara von Wahlde. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1988, 219-238.

• Handbook of data processing for libraries, by Robert M. Hayes & Joseph Becker. New York, Becker and Hayes, 1970. Textbook.
• Strategic management for public libraries : a handbook, by Robert M. Hayes and Virginia A. Walter. Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 1996.
• Information science, computers merging with libraries. Oral history. University of California, Los Angeles. Oral History Program. 12.75-hour interview 1995. Transcript, 430 pp, 1997.
• [Oral history interview.] Science History Institute (Philadelphia, PA), 2001, 1 hour 27 minutes, 27 pp. [1]

Offices

• American Documentation Institute (now ASIST. President, 1962-63 and 1967-68;
• American Library Association. President, Information Science & Automation Division (now LITA), 1968/69.
• American Library Association. Chairman of Committee on Accreditation, 1984-1986.
• American Association for the Advancement of Science. Vice-President and Chairman of Section T, 1969-1971.

Awards

• American Society for Information Science (now ASIST. 1971 Best Information Science Book 1971.

Further reading

• Harmon, Joanie. "Robert M. Hayes: 1926-2022." [UCLA School of Education and Information webpage]. Obituary. 2022. [2].
• Anderson, Dorothy. "The impact of one leader [R. M. Hayes]" In: Leadership for research libraries: A festschrift for Robert M. Hayes, ed. by Anne Woodsworth and Barbara von Wahlde. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1988, 207-218
• Finding Aid for the Robert Mayo Hayes Papers, 1955-1976. University of California, Los Angeles. Young Research Library, Young Research Library, Department of Special Collections, 2002.

[3]

Papers

University of California, Los Angeles. Young Research Library, Young Research Library, Department of Special Collections, Robert Mayo Hayes Papers (Collection 1513). 2002. 20 linear feet (40 boxes), 1955-1976. Personal papers and books. correspondence, notes, clippings, reports, and papers related to various projects. Finding aid [[4]]