AN INTERVIEW WITH MARy REICHEL, D Farewell to the Dean During Mary Reichel’s 21 years as head of the University Library, she took the library to new heights, both physically and scholarly, as she worked to obtain a new building while significantly enhancing collections and services. Mary will step down as Dean of Libraries June 30 to take a new assignment in Academic Affairs. She came to Appalachian from the University of Arizona in 1992 as University Librarian, a title that was changed to Dean in fall 2012 because of the library’s outstanding contributions to the intellectual life of the campus. Mary is well known for her boundless energy and enthusiasm for her work, her colleagues, and library supporters but she has a special place in her heart for the students. “Appalachian students are great,” she said. “ey are hardworking and fun, and I especially enjoy the many student assistants we have in the library.” She also worked with Student Government Association presidents and invited them to participate in library events whenever possible. “Our library personnel, faculty, and staff, are fabulous, really great,” she said, “and I worked with terrific administrators.” She served with three chancellors and noted that the library benefitted from “excellent leadership” from all. She is grateful to John omas for hiring her, adding that he is “one of the administrators I admired the most.”
Breaking ground for Belk Library and Information Commons were, le to right, Vice Chancellor Jane Helm, UNC President Molly Broad, Chancellor Frank Borkowski, Faculty Senate Chair Paul Gates, ASU Foundation Board Chair Robert Fox, and Associate Vice Chancellor Clinton Parker.
“Frank Borkowski worked hard to obtain a new building for us, which has had a major impact on the ability of the library’s faculty and staff to provide the outstanding resources that we offer,” she said, “and Ken Peacock is the most enthusiastic chancellor in the system and works very well with the system administration which is crucial for Appalachian’s success.” Mary has worked with a number of leaders in Academic Affairs and she noted that “Academic Affairs has been and is extremely supportive of the Library – one of the best supported libraries in the UNC system.”
Mary admits that her most unexpected joy has been working with donors. She was involved with the Friends of the Library at Arizona “but never had the privilege of developing close relationships with library supporters,” she said. “Establishing the Library Advisory Board with Patty Wheeler was a great experience. I learned so much and have enjoyed all of the members who served through the years. rough their generosity in time and resources, they have brought excellence to the library.” Mary especially appreciates the dedication of all the chairs of the Library Advisory Board: Bill Rhinehart, Margaret “Pinky” Hayden, Randy Stevens, Pat Phillips, John Idol, and Craig Popelars.
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1992
1995
2001
2002
Mary Reichel is appointed University Librarian.
Library Advisory Board established with eight members.
Appalachian Office of University Archives and Records Management becomes part of the library.
Ground breaking for the new Library and Information Commons is held April 9.