Cecilia D. Stafford, M.L.S., Retires as Director of Zollinger Library.
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September 28, 2021 - After spending a nearly 42-year career in library sciences, Cecilia Stafford, M.L.S., will officially retire on October 1st, 2021, with a legacy of accomplishments that have been impactful to not only 最新麻豆原创allup but to the New Mexico State University (NMSU) branch campus in Grants, Tulane University, and the University of New Orleans.
鈥淚 began work at 最新麻豆原创allup鈥檚 Zollinger Library on August 1, 2016, after serving as library director at NMSU-Grants for 10 years,鈥 Stafford explained. 鈥淚 moved to New Mexico from New Orleans in August 2006鈥攐ne year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast region鈥攍eaving my position as Associate Dean of Libraries at Tulane University, where I was employed for 21 years.鈥
Prior to her service at Tulane University, she worked as a public services librarian at the University of New Orleans following three years as a branch manager in the Jefferson Parish Public Library system beginning in July 1979 immediately after receiving a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Alabama.
Her tenure at 最新麻豆原创allup began with immediate impact as she served as library coordinator for the Zollinger Library building expansion project, where Stafford worked with UNM鈥檚 main campus architectural and construction planning staff, building contractors, and 最新麻豆原创allup physical plant staff on the library鈥檚 expansion and renovation. The expansion, which was funded through a statewide General Obligation (GO) bond, created the lower level of the library specifically for student study areas and expansion of the library collection. 鈥淚 also helped launch the Book of Giving Tree. Children鈥檚 books were collected through donations for distribution to children attending the campus holiday celebration. Library staff gift wrapped the books to hand out to children of all ages and to assist children who created their own 鈥楲obos Love Reading鈥 bookmarks adorned with 鈥業 Love Reading鈥 stickers, tassels, and colored pens and crayons,鈥 Stafford said.
She went on to explain that there are a few accomplishments during her time at 最新麻豆原创allup that she is most proud of, including expanding access to electronic databases, journals, and reference sources that support student and faculty research; along with improving off-site access to online resources through use of a proxy server that provides a simple gateway to most library resource using a UNM netID and password.
Stafford was also instrumental in improving the library鈥檚 presence on the 最新麻豆原创allup website by adding many useful resources that include a writer and speaker toolkit that provides an open access assignment calculator designed to help students stay on track with their research; online access to the most respected citation manuals and writer guides used at colleges and universities nationwide; and adding links to open access videos that guide students in their preparation of in-person and online presentations.
During the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped design and implement an online appointment system that allowed library staff to provide in-building use of the Zollinger Library, except during periods when McKinley County was locked down. 鈥淓ven when library use was limited, library staff continued to offer curbside service for pick-up of print materials and WiFi hotspots,鈥 she said.
Stafford also worked with the Faculty Library Committee and Carmen Wellborn, senior Web designer at 最新麻豆原创allup, to create the Experts鈥 Corner on the library鈥檚 webpage. 鈥淭his resource is designed as a searchable database to connect those on campus who need to consult an expert with those on campus who have the needed skills and research interests,鈥 she proudly adds.
Among Stafford鈥檚 awards and accolades, she served as president of the 最新麻豆原创allup Faculty Assembly for the 2018-2019 academic year and was selected as the Academic Librarian of the Year in 2019-2020 by the New Mexico Consortium of Academic Libraries (NMCAL). This prestigious award is given annually to a member of NMCAL in recognition of significant accomplishments in academic librarianship.
Now that retirement is soon on the horizon for Stafford, she plans to continue to reside in Gallup with her husband of 35 years. 鈥淢y plans include growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables on our half-acre downtown property,鈥 she explained. 鈥淲e鈥檒l make frequent trips and have overnight stays at our log cabin in the Zuni Mountains; take camping and sight-seeing trips throughout the Four Corners in our pop-top camper van; and I will dabble in creating Southwestern and mountain-themed stained-glass panels and sun catchers to sell at art and flea markets throughout the region.鈥
The 最新麻豆原创allup community certainly wishes Stafford well during her retirement years and thanks her for the positive impact she鈥檚 had on our library and campus鈥攁nd the long-lasting legacy she leaves behind as Stafford enters this new and exciting next phase of her life.
Article Contact:
Lee Lamb, Sr. Public Relations Specialist
lambc@unm.edu
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