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 vin 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.

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]]