UW Libraries Employee & Friends News, October 2024
Published October 17, 2024
5 Minute Read
IN MEMORIAM
We are deeply saddened to hear of Nancy Gwinn's passing. She was a UW alumna from Sheridan, Wyoming. She was an esteemed librarian who served as the Smithsonian Institution Libraries system director. You can read more about her leadership and professional accomplishments here.
Her and her husband's generous support in establishing the Gwinn-Cole Library Excellence Endowment for the professional development of our library staff reflects their unwavering dedication to advancing our ability to better serve our students and the state.
Her distinguished career and lifelong commitment to the library profession have left an indelible mark on our organization.
Retirements
Laurie Mendick began her career at the University of Wyoming Libraries in November
1992 after earning her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wyoming’s
College of Commerce & Industry (now known as the College of Business). She was hired
as an Accounting Technician in the Libraries Director’s Office. During the 31 years
that followed, Laurie held the titles of Accountant, Business Manager Executive and
Director of Business Operations. She continued to work in the same office which later
became known as the Dean’s Office and served under 1 Director, 3 Deans and 3 interim
Director/Deans during that time. Laurie was integral in moving the Libraries through
the implementation of campus systems such as WyoCloud and TimeClock Plus.
She was recognized with UW Libraries' Outstanding Service Award twice and UW Staff Senate's True Grit award in 2019. She continues to utilize her degree and experience as an accountant working for a private company in Laramie.
Larry Schmidt began his career at the University of Wyoming Libraries in 2002 after receiving his MLS from Emporia State University. His first position was as Science Librarian coming to the position with bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and botany and a Master of Science in environmental engineering. Larry’s years in the science library shaped his career as he collaborated with botanists in the Rocky Mountain Herbarium to create digital herbaria collections across the Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain region. Through this effort Larry and his collaborators brought in over $600,000 in grants from National Science Foundation and The Mellon Foundation in addition to other federal and state agencies.
Larry enjoyed creating and teaching credit courses in both information literacy and data management. In 2014 he was awarded the Agnes Milstead Distinguished Librarian Award for his significant contributions to UW Libraries. Larry’s career spanned working in two branch libraries and Coe Library including three leadership positions as department head of the Brinkerhoff Geology Library, chair of Research and Instruction, and Chair of Collections. In his retirement, he is looking forward to spending time with family and friends along with plans to relocate to the Pacific Northwest.
Stephen Boss has had a fulfilling career in library science/history archives. He began
his professional journey with Wright Water Engineers, Inc. doing research and overseeing
their report and technical library. He then went on to Coors Brewing Company where
he managed their technical library and historical archives.
For the past 22 years he has been at the University of Wyoming Libraries serving as the Head of Library Information Technology where he oversaw a department of technologists who ran servers of all kinds, did break/fix, web design and more. He then transitioned into the role of Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Librarian working with the Wyoming Library to Business Program. This allowed him to do technological support of the program in libraries across the state as well as utilize his business expertise.
Awards & Recognitions
Jamie Markus, Assistant Dean of Resources Discovery & Management, was recently appointed
to the EveryLibrary Institute Board of Directors. The EveryLibrary Institute mission is to "to strengthen public support for library
funding and ensure that every community has access to high-quality library services.
We believe that libraries play a crucial role in fostering literacy, lifelong learning,
and civic engagement, serving as hubs of knowledge and community connection. Through
advocacy, outreach, and education, we work tirelessly to empower library supporters,
engage decision-makers, and secure funding to sustain and expand library services
nationwide."
Markus also recently graduated from Leadership Wyoming. Congrats, Jamie!
Samantha (Sammy) Peter was appointed as editor for the Publications in Librarianship (PIL) book series published by the Association
of College and Research Libraries (ACRL).
ACRL's PIL series is a peer-reviewed collection of books that has reported on scholarly thinking and emerging theories and research in academic and research librarianship since 1951. The appointment is a three year term, effective July 1, 2024.
Congrats, Sammy!
New Hires & Appointments
Paula Martin was appointed to the Associate Dean role in July. Martin joined the University
of Wyoming Libraries faculty in 2020 as the Assistant Dean of User Services. Before
coming to UW, she served as the Director of Holman Library at McKendree University
in Lebanon, Illinois, and has worked in reference, instruction, circulation, and electronic
resources management. As Associate Dean, Paula manages all operational activities
of UW Libraries, coordinates the efforts of its three major divisions, and oversees
the appointment and promotion of library faculty.
Deborah White joined the University of Wyoming Libraries as the Digital Collections
Librarian. She has more than ten years of experience as a Digital Librarian. She holds
a Master of Library & Information from the University of South Carolina, a Master
of Arts in English Literature from the University of Idaho, and Bachelor of Arts in
English Literature from Washington State University. Before coming to the University
of Wyoming, Deborah served as an Office Coordinator Assistant at an ALE school in
her hometown of Port Orchard, Washington. Outside of work, Deborah enjoys chilling
with her cat, watching movies, journaling, and going on road trips to historical landmarks.
Esther Perez comes to the University of Wyoming as the newly appointed STEM Digital
Scholarship Librarian. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from
San Jose State University, a Master of Science in Physics from Texas A&M University,
a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Rice
University. This is her first library position, for which she is very excited to lend
her experience and expertise to help elevate the level of resources offered and the
scholarship produced at the University of Wyoming. In her free time, Esther enjoys
exploring the outdoors, creating art, cooking good food, and spending time with her
cat, Lucy.
