Malcolm C. Hamilton, assistant librarian at the Graduate School of Education, will become the first head librarian of the Kennedy School of Government Library on April 1, Oscar Handlin, director of the University library system, said yesterday.

A committee headed by Graham T. Allison '62, dean of the K-School, selected Hamilton to replace Margery Blake, acting head librarian.

Ira A. Jackson '70, associate dean of the K-School, said yesterday he considers Hamilton "one of the most competent professional librarians" he has ever met adding, "We're delighted he's willing to join us."

University administrators officially named the K-School Library last spring, after a year-long protest by students and Faculty against plans to name the library after millionaire Charles W. Engelhard, who was known for his investments in South Africa.

Hamilton said yesterday he believes not naming the K-School Library after Engelhard satisfied protesters, and he called the issue "an unfortunate bit of history."

He added that he plans to better integrate the K-School Library with the rest of the University library system and to correct for the "lack of leadership" that has plagued the library's recent past.