Library Employee News, October 2023
Published October 19, 2023
5 Minute Read
Ivan Gaetz, Dean of Libraries
Ivan Gaetz retired as Dean of UW Libraries in August. He achieved extraordinary milestones
during his tenure. In 2017, he led a library-wide reorganization, showed steadfast
leadership during the uncertainty of the pandemic, was essential for bringing the
very first University of Wyoming Press to the state of Wyoming, and secured the largest ever donation to UW Libraries, creating
the Carol J. McMurry Librarian for Excellence position. Beyond that, Ivan worked closely
with campus units and the Libraries' development board to bring esteemed authors like
Ann Patchett, Timothy Egan, Erik Larson, Jesmyn Ward, and Angela Davis to UW, enriching
our intellectual community.
Thank you Ivan for your leadership and advocacy of UW Libraries! You will be missed!
Debbie McCarthy and Dee Salo recently retired from University of Wyoming Libraries.
Debbie has had a remarkable career in academic libraries that spans back to 1988.
Joining UW Libraries in 2004 as the Head of Technical Services, she later assumed
the role of Assistant Dean, Resource Discovery and Management in 2018. Her retirement
date will be the 20th anniversary of her start date with UW Libraries.
Dee began her journey with UW Libraries in August 1982, starting in Processing before
transitioning to Serials and, later, Acquisitions, managing invoice payments. In 1989,
Dee moved to Interlibrary Loan (ILL). She has worked in all aspects of ILL -- in both
the lending and borrowing sides. She then moved into a Library Specialist role and
took the helm as Manager of Interlibrary Loan in February 2018. Her remarkable dedication
spans an impressive 41 years of service.
Thank you Debbie & Dee for your dedication and contributions to UW Libraries and the University of Wyoming!
IN MEMORIAM
Former Head of Technical Services
Carol Jane White of Laramie passed away on September 8 at the age of 82. She was born in Goffstown, New Hampshire on October 17, 1940. In 1969 Carol received her Master of Library Science from the University of
Denver. She started working at the University of Wyoming in 1969 and retired in 2003.
While working at the University of Wyoming Carol received the Outstanding Service
Award in 1986 as well as the Agnes Milstead award in 1998 for her hard work and dedication
to the library.
Full obituary
Former Head of Learning Resource Center & Associate Librarian
Laurn Weldon Wilhelm passed away on July 9, 2023. He was born in Logan, Utah on February
17, 1944. Laurn received a Bachelor’s degree in speech education with a minor in German
and a Master's degree in Instructional Media and Library Science from Utah State University.
He was also commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. He served
as an associate librarian and the head of the Learning Resource Center. Laurn started
working at UW in 1975 and retired in 2008.
Full obituary
Awards & RECOGNITION
Carol J. McMurry Distinguished Librarian for Academic Excellence
Janice Grover received the Honor's College Excellence in Service award this past spring semester.
In her nomination, Grover was noted for "[her] excellent teaching of Colloqium [and] commitment to students outside the classroom and connecting them to important resources in the Libraries."
Janice is the Carol J. McMurry Distinguished Librarian for Academic Excellence at
the University of Wyoming. Janice received an M.A. in English from the University
of Wyoming in 2017 and an MLS from Emporia State University in 2009.
Congrats, Janice!
NEW HIRES & APPOINTMENTS
Jamie Markus will join the University of Wyoming Libraries as the Assistant Dean of
Resource Discovery & Management on October 25th. Jamie has served as the Wyoming state
librarian since 2016. He has worked at the Wyoming State Library since 2005. Jamie brings years of experience managing large budgets, integrated library systems,
grants, and relationships across the state. Last year, he was appointed as an adjunct faculty with UW Libraries and will now be full-time with UW Libraries. He has a Master of
Library Science from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in liberal studies
from Montana State University-Billings.
Data Management Librarian
Michaela Clark joined the University of Wyoming Libraries as the Data Management Librarian in May. Michaela holds a Master of Library Science from Emporia State University. She decided to pursue librarianship when she was a student worker in the library while working on her undergraduate degree at Utah State University. Michaela was previously the Library Associate at Dakota State University in South Dakota, where she did interlibrary loan, circulation, and supervised student workers. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and crafts.
Interim Dean, UW Libraries
Cass was appointed to the Interim Dean of UW Libraries in August. Cass has worked at UW Libraries for 20 years, serving as the distance learning librarian,
the head of the Learning Resource Center, Assistant Dean of Education & Research Services,
and most recently UW Libraries Associate Dean.
Kaijsa Calkins
Interim Associate Dean & Assistant Dean, Education & Research Services
Kaijsa was appointed to an Associate Dean role in August. Her role as associate dean includes oversight of faculty affairs, organizational assessment, and project partnerships. She still leads a library division that includes Digital Collections, Special Collections, and Research & Instruction. Kaijsa joined the University of Wyoming Libraries faculty in 2006 as English Reference Librarian and subsequently served as chair of Research & Instruction before being appointed assistant dean of Education & Research Services.
Interim Associate Dean & Assistant Dean, User Services
Paula was appointed to an Associate Dean role in August. In her role as Associate
Dean, she is responsible for recruiting employees, staff annual reviews, facilities,
and oversight of Resource and Discovery Management. Martin joined the University of
Wyoming Libraries faculty in 2020 as the Assistant Dean, User Services. She’s worked
in reference, instruction, circulation, and electronic resources management. Before
coming to UW, she served as the Director of Holman Library at McKendree University
in Lebanon, Illinois.
