From: Sandra Phoenix Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 8:03 PM To: 'Rodney, Mae' Subject: RE: Announcement Thanks so much Mae. Enjoy this next chapter! Respectfully, Sandra From: Rodney, Mae [mailto:rodneyml@wssu.edu] Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 12:06 PM To: Sandra Phoenix Subject: FW: Announcement Sandra, this is the official announcement regarding my retirement Mae L. Rodney Director of Library Services 336-750-2446 [30_yr_email_ftr] From: Allen, Brenda A. Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 2:41 PM To: Everyone - Faculty/Staff; Everyone-Students Subject: Announcement Dear Campus Community, After thirty-two years of service to Winston-Salem State University, Dr. Mae L. Rodney, director of library services, will be retiring effective June 30, 2015. As the leader for the C. G. O'Kelly Library, she has worked diligently to ensure that our campus has the latest comprehensive library services and technologies by creating and nurturing an environment which fostered creativity and change. Dr. Rodney's contributions are extensive and cover all aspect of administration from the budget, print and electronic collections, building design, fundraising, marketing, staff development, to staffing services within an ever evolving environment. Her tenure can be characterized with the question "What is new in the library?" Transforming our library services into a totally automated and technology based function began in 1987 and continues currently with updates in the information commons. Today, students have access to the latest technology, including multiple group study rooms with white boards and projection systems which support collaborative learning and a first quality media production lab for completing assignments. Providing useful contemporary services by introducing collections of textbooks and electronic resources that students need to succeed is characteristic of Dr. Rodney's vision for library services. Her commitment to students and the university is evident in how services were consistently reshaped to ensure that they were in step with WSSU's strategic goals, whether creating quality graduate programs or providing services which advanced student success. Dr. Rodney understood that students have different learning styles and needs and worked to see that the library staff was meeting those needs, especially for non-traditional students. Knowing that today's students are more dependent on technology, she supported the staff in developing the app for O'Kelly, a blog and an updated website, as well as an "Ask a Librarian" online help link. Dr. Rodney also advocated creating and maintaining a partnership between faculty and librarians with the goal of producing quality graduates. The partnership Included emphasizing the importance of library instruction, as well as keeping faculty informed about collections and services. Librarians were expected to offer faculty support in the classroom and one-on-one sessions as well as through the O'K Scholars Institute. Expecting the staff to offer the best possible service required a regular infusion of new ideas, the environment to test and implement the ideas, and opportunities to explore the library world beyond Winston-Salem. In addition to all she accomplished and all the encouragement she provided her staff, Dr. Rodney is especially proud of the opportunity given to students and interns to work in the library. The desire was to offer them relevant experiences that would help them move forward in their chosen professions. Dr. Rodney was instrumental in founding the Friends of the Library organization and establishing the library endowment that provides additional funding. She has also been at the forefront of preserving the history of the university and library. In this regard, the book "Friends Inviting Friends: twenty-five years of friend-raising" was compiled to share her experiences with others. Dr. Rodney earned her master's degree in library science from North Carolina Central and her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to joining WSSU, she held multiple positions including head reference librarian at North Carolina Central University. In addition to her work on campus, Dr. Rodney serves on the Board of Visitors for the UNC School of Information and Library Science and NC Digital Heritage Center Board. I know you will join me in thanking Dr. Rodney for her outstanding contributions to WSSU and wish her the very best in retirement. Sincerely, Brenda Allen