It’s time for me to say goodbye. When my retirement was announced in early 2024, it seemed far, far away and the idea of crafting a goodbye message promptly went to the backburner, but now that time has come. Choosing librarianship as a career has been one of my best life decisions and I am thankful to be part of a profession focused on helping connect library users with the information they need.
It has been a true pleasure and privilege to serve the MCLS libraries for the past 5 ½ years. It has also been a huge honor to work with the eLicensing and Collection Resources (eLCR) Team (Alicea, Mario, Susan) and other MCLS colleagues. From navigating through the COVID pandemic to adjusting to a remote work environment, it has been a time of change and adaptation for both libraries and MCLS. Along the way, the eLCR Team implemented ConsortiaManager, entered into transformative agreements, started Reciprocal Lending (RLA) with OverDrive, began OverDrive for Indiana and Michigan Academics (OMIA), expanded its product offerings, and helped give libraries free resources through an ARPA grant. I am truly grateful to Alicea, Mario, and Susan for supporting me and helping make our endeavors a reality. Working at a multi-type consortium like MCLS has given me the chance to interact with a range of people: librarians of all stripes and types (academic, public, law, medical, and school); vendors and innovative entrepreneurs seeking to serve library eResource needs; and consortium colleagues facing the same challenges. What I will miss most are those relationships and the opportunity to work creatively together to “build better libraries.”
As my time at MCLS comes to an end, I want to express my profound appreciation to Scott Garrison, MCLS Executive Director, for his guidance. In the early 2000s, we worked together to help form the Michigan Academic Library Association (MiALA). Little did I know he would become my boss—and he’s been a great one! I’ve also benefited from the wisdom of our management team. Thank you, Janet, Megan, Pam, and Sean, for helping to keep me on track!
Moving forward, the eLCR Department is in good hands. Sarah Beaubien started as the eLCR Manager on Sept. 3. I am already impressed by her knowledge of the field, and I am confident she’ll lead the team successfully. For me, retirement means a more leisurely lifestyle and time to spend on what matters most to me: family, faith, and friends. Bike rides, travel, focused time with my mom, my husband, and my grandkids are on the immediate agenda. Come winter, I will follow the birds and head south!
