The Government has announced a new Director of Libraries and Archives.

Mandellas Lightbourne will work under the direction of the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation to lead and guide the department.

He takes up the role with 25 years of professional experience, which includes archival appraisal and record preservation.

Mr Lightbourne first served as a middle school and high school teacher before moving to information management in 2008.

He served as a trainee appraisal archivist and became an appraisal archivist in 2012.

Mr Lightbourne was appointed archivist of the Bermuda Archives after it merged with the Bermuda National Library in 2018.

He became an archivist records manager in 2023 and has previously served as Acting Director for the Department of Libraries and Archives.

Mr Lightbourne has a Bachelor of Science degree in English literature and history education from Alabama A&M University, as well as a Master’s Degree with distinction in archives and records management from University College in London.

He is a member of the 2023 cohort of the Government’s leadership development programme.

A spokeswoman said Mr Lightbourne holds a strong interest in 19th and 20th century history and art, particularly how primary historical and literary records have shaped modern society.