February 23, 2011 Dear Friends and Colleagues,
By now you have seen the positing on Hasafran for the position I have had the privilege to occupy for more the thirty years. Yes, I am retiring. My decision was determined by two major factors, my health and the times. Information needs change and the means of transmitting those needs change, and I feel I have reached that point in my life in which change is not coming as easily as earlier. It is perhaps time to pass the baton to someone younger and swifter. In my formal letter of resignation I stated the following: "Not long ago I had occasion to refer to a book, which upon taking from the shelf I recognized it as a volume I had processed for Rabbi Kiev early in my career. The spine had dried out, and because of the now brittle paper, it could not be effectively rebound. "After over thirty-seven and one half years I see myself perhaps not unlike that book. My spine is not as supple and my skin has dried out. "Rebinding" is not an option. "Given my overall health, as well as the weight of the challenges facing the Klau Library in the immediate future, I think it is the right time for me to depart. "These years have had many "peak experiences." Having been selected by Herbert C. Zafren to work at the College and under his direction was a tremendous privilege that has shaped my life. "Working with David Gilner, a wonderful colleague and equally important, if not more so, a dear friend, has been a delight. "And while there is so much I shall miss (and, true, some I shall not miss), the warm camaraderie of my colleagues at our four libraries is especially something I shall always cherish." I must add here what a special place in my heart the Association has.. Those annual conventions of the Association were among those "peak experience" in referred to. For so many strangers became instantly not just colleagues but most definitely friends This is something words cannot adequately express. And how awesome (and I use this word in its original, and not in the contemporary popular colloquial sense) has been the Association's growth in the past three decades! When I assumed the presidency in 1982 (and after we had straightened out the membership rolls) we had 613 dues paying members. (Do you think that number has significance?) Now our membership is nearly double that number. And we continue to grow in strength. That the Association honored me with Life Membership still touches me deeply. And while I hope to continue to attend our conventions, I shall definitely miss our in-person interactions, and I hope we can remain in touch. To that person who succeeds me at the College-Institute, I wish you every success, for you will be working among some of the finest individuals, both as professionals and as persons you will ever meet. My warmest best to you all, Phil Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@osu.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
