|
[Return to Library Homepage]
Frederick
Lincoln Chenery | Harold Booher
| Lucille Hager | Robert
Elzy Cogswell
|
Interim
Librarian, Booher Library,
June -December 2000
Despite
a full and thorough search, when Harold Booher retired in the
spring of 2000, there was no one to take over as director. On
the recommendation of Dr. De Sellers, then ETSS accreditation
coordinator and former MAPM/MAC student, the seminary sought
out Dr. Bill Mears, former Director of the Library at Texas
State University at San Marcos [formerly Southwest Texas State
University], to be the interim director for the Booher Library.
He foolishly agreed, commuting daily from San Marcos to Austin
for seven months.
|
|
|
|
Bill worked hard on two goals: 1) to enhance the library’s
use and provision of online resources; and 2) to expand the
professional staff of the library and prepare them to take over
when he left. To meet the first goal Bill created the initial
web page for the library and installed it on the seminary web
site. It included the first inauguration of LUSTRE (Rob Cogswell's
“List of Useful Sites on Theology and Religion”).
At the end of the year, Bill also managed the installation of
links to the Episcopal News Service and the Anglican Communion
News Service for the use of those taking the General Ordination
Exam in early January.
|
Perhaps
most importantly, Bill, who was involved in the creation of
a state wide consortium for electronic resources called Texshare
during his time at Alkek and while serving on the board of the
San Marcos Public Library, negotiated the seminary's participation
in that program. Through the Texshare card program our patrons
gained access to over 100 academic and public libraries throughout
the state; through the online database program, we received
access to over 60 databases, many eventually with full-text
off-site access. A recent estimate was that by participating
in this program, we save the library over $60 K per year in
paying for comparable access. (Click here for more details about
Texshare)
|
| In
order to effect his second goal, during his seven-month tenure,
Bill Mears also expanded the library staff from two to five. He
presided over the job search and hiring of Elizabeth (Liz) Johnson,
Lisa Norman (later Lisa Norman Johnson), and María Inés
Weber [later her student assistant, Duane Carter, takes over the
position when she leaves]. Bill “promoted” Rob Cogswell
to Head of Technical Services and Mikail McIntosh-Doty to Head
of Public Services. Bill also mentored Rob on all aspects of library
management and administration, in preparation for his applying
for the position of library director and after Rob was the successful
candidate. |
| Bill
found the seminary experience quite different from his experience
as the “top guy” in the library at Texas State. He
noted that after only four months, he knew more students by name
and more about them than he knew of any students at the university
with an enrollment of over 30,000. He was amazed that students
would just walk into his office, sit down, introduce themselves,
and settle in for a “comfy chat.” He also loved it.
The commute nearly killed him, but he was reluctant to leave when
his internship was done. |
| Bill
left at the end of December, having made many long-term changes
that are still benefiting the library and the community long after
his short interim ended.
|
|
