Olive Tree

Winter 2004        

 Volume 11 Number 2

Elaine Albright, Fogler Fellow for Development
  The closing of a book? The turning of a page? The beginning of a new chapter? All these metaphors are certainly appropriate as Elaine Albright, former Library Director and Dean of Cultural Affairs and Libraries, prepares to take up her new position as Fogler Fellow for Development at the University Development Office.

On August 31, 2003, Albright said her goodbyes to the staff and library that had been part of her life for 20 years. In typical Albright style, she announced her new role to the staff by holding a wine and cheese reception during which she raised her glass in a toast, thanking them for their hard work and praising their many achievements. She spoke about the many successful initiatives that have made The University of Maine libraries a valuable state resource. She also acknowledged the difficult decisions she had to make along the way and reflected on the challenges that lie ahead for university libraries.

Albright came to Fogler at a time when libraries were on the threshold of what was to be a revolution in the archiving and management of information. Always a forward thinker, she was able to understand the opportunity offered by technology and to place the University System libraries in a position to benefit. She has been a major force in leading Maine's libraries into the forefront of electronic access to an extensive collection of online information resources.

She was a leader in the creation of URSUS, the statewide-automated catalog system. She has continued her commitment to bringing resources to users across the state with the introduction of the Maine InfoNet Statewide Catalog, which combines and links library collections. Her involvement in the creation of the Maine School and Library Network, which provides connection to the Internet for schools and libraries, helped to give Maine a strong network of resources sharing.

Albright was tireless in her efforts to raise awareness of library services and resources. She will be missed. On behalf of Fogler Library's staff, friends, and supporters, we wish her good luck and know we will continue to benefit from her support as she assumes her new role as Fogler Fellow for Library Development.
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