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After almost 30 years as the Music Librarian at the University of Southern California, Rodney Rolfs retired on June 30, 2004.
Rod studied applied organ at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas and then received a Master’s degree in music history from Northwestern University, followed by the MLS from the University of Chicago. After a brief stint as a cataloger at Portland State College, Rod arrived at the University of Southern California in 1967, as the Music Cataloger.
After Joan Meggett’s retirement in 1974, Rod became USC’s second Music Librarian. During his tenure in this position, he oversaw four moves of the music collection: the first in 1974, from a second floor annex to Widney Hall to the second floor of Doheny Memorial Library; the second in 1982, within the second floor of Doheny; the third, in 1999, to temporary space in Waite Phillips Hall during the seismic retrofit of Doheny; and finally, the return of the Music Library to the ground floor of Doheny in 2001. During this time, the collection grew from 40,000 items to 90,000 items, and USC became an early adapter of digital audio workstations in the early 1990s.
Rod worked tirelessly to improve the music collection, including bringing all music-related formats together in one location, and he established strong relations with the various Deans and the faculty of the School of Music. He is especially proud of mentoring student workers in the Music Library who have gone on to library careers of their own. He was also a trusted and well-respected member of the library faculty, frequently elected to committees dealing with appointment and promotion of librarians.
As an active member of the MLA/SCC, Rod served twice as a Member-at-Large of the Board. The Music Library also hosted the Spring 1992 Chapter meeting, which highlighted USC’s implementation of hypermedia in the Music Library, and a gathering of music librarians during the 1994 ALA Midwinter meeting in Los Angeles.
In retirement, Rod plans to keep the Los Angeles area as a home base, while traveling, visiting his farm in Kansas, and enjoying various cultural activities, including concerts and plays.
Please join me in wishing Rod all the best in his retirement. His e-mail address will remain the same, but he won’t be reading any messages until he acquires a new computer, sometime later this summer.
Kathy Glennan
Music Cataloger
University of Southern California
David Gilbert (UCLA Music Library) has agreed to take over the position of chapter Web Editor, beginning in late June. David was previously the Web editor for MLA national, so he will be bringing substantial experience to the job. Congratulations, David, and welcome aboard!
Kathy Glennan (USC) is stepping down from her role as the chapter's electronic guru, after more than 10 years of exemplary service. Always an active and loyal chapter member, Kathy began her decade of digital devotion as Gopher editor from 1994 to 1997 (remember Gophers?), continuing as Web editor from 1997 to the present. With her technical and artistic savvy, Kathy turned the chapter Web site into a thing of beauty, with an eye towards keeping the content as current and relevant as possible, and in a very user-friendly format. She has always been open to suggestions, and has put in many hours of hard work during the last several years to enhance and improve the Web site. On behalf of the chapter, I extend to Kathy sincerest appreciation and gratitude for a job extremely well done. Thank you, Kathy, and congratulations!
Vic Cardell
Chair, MLA/SCC