Rufus Crosby Kemper III is the current director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Previously director of the Kansas City Public Library from 2005 until 2020, Kemper's other experience includes CEO/Chairman of UMB Financial Corporation.
The son of R. Crosby Kemper Jr. and Cynthia Warrick Kemper, he was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, then attended Andover, Eton College, and Yale University. His wife was the renowned historian and Yale University professor María Rosa Menocal.
In 2005, Kemper co-founded the Show-Me Institute with Rex Sinquefield. He chaired the Missouri Commission on the Future of Higher Education and additionally served on various boards, including the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the Kansas City Symphony, and the Black Archives of Mid-America. Under his leadership the Kansas City Public Library received the 2008 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, awarded to American libraries and museums with outstanding service to their communities.