September 6, 2002

Loyola bids farewell to dedicated librarian

Rosalee McReynolds, who served Loyola for 22 years as a librarian, died August 21. McReynolds was an asset to the university and the Loyola community is united in its grief over the lost of one its revered members. "Rosalee was deeply loved for her integrity, professionalism, dedication to the academy, and wonderful sense of humor," wrote Interim Provost Lydia Voigt.

McReynolds started at Loyola as a serials librarian. In 1998, she began to oversee the Special Collections section. She also was a founding member of the Women's Studies Committee, a founding member and past president of the Louisiana Chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries, and a winner of the Justin Winsor Prize for Excellence. At the time of her death, she was working on a book about Philip and Mary Jane Keeney, librarians in the Library of Congress who lost their positions due to unpopular political views.

McReynolds held a master's in liberal arts from Boston University, master's in library science from Simmons College, and bachelor's of arts from the University of Colorado.

A funeral was held August 24. The university also held a remembrance service for her in Ignatius Chapel September 6 and a "Moment of Remembrance" August 29 for her and other members of the Loyola community who passed away. A memorial endowment for special collections has been established in her honor. For information, contact Darla Rushing, library development coordinator, at 864-7197.