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Library Bulletin Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Library -- New Orleans

Elizabeth Strother Retires

On January 31st Elizabeth "Liz" Strother, one of the mainstays of the LSUHSC-NO Libraries, will retire after 40 years as a librarian.

Liz was born in Detroit MI and received her MLS from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. In 1972, she moved to New Orleans for her first librarian job as the Interlibrary Loan Librarian and a Humanities Reference Department member at UNO. Liz never expected to stay in New Orleans long but soon fell in love with New Orleans and the ability to ride her bike to work, even in the winter. In 1978, she was hired as the second Head Dental Librarian by Library Director John Isché (for whom the main campus library is now named).

Liz has demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence in library service throughout her 34 year career in the Dental Library. She has worked her way up the academic ranks to become the second Full Librarian (the library equivalent of a Full Professor) in the history of the LSUHSC Libraries. Liz has built a reputation at the Dental School as a dedicated educator and tireless worker in the advancement of Dental education. During her tenure, the Library has become a place where students, residents, and faculty are always welcomed and encouraged to ask for assistance. She has guided the library through a myriad of transformations including the arrival of the Internet as a research tool, the digitization of the card catalog, renovations of the library space, and, most recently, the closure of the library for two years after Hurricane Katrina. During the rebuilding of the Dental School following the Hurricane, Liz worked determinedly to provide library service and research assistance to all affiliated with the School. She traveled to the Baton Rouge campus, maintained an office at the temporary campus of the Dental School and provided the students, residents, and faculty both electronic and personal assistance.

As a faculty member, Liz actively participated in the Dental School. In 1988, Liz developed an 11-hour for credit course for all first year dental students. DIMS (Dental Information Management Skills) as it was then known, has evolved with the times to become a 29-hour course, Introduction to Evidence Based Dentistry. She has also participated in numerous committees including Faculty Development, Student Affairs, Admissions, and Curriculum. Liz has published over 30 articles on topics ranging from library services, dental education, and the history of dentistry; she has gained a reputation as an outstanding editor and has participated in some way with the publication of countless other scientific articles. She is currently or has been a member of several professional organizations including the Medical Library Association, the American Dental Education Association, the South Central Chapter of the Medical Library Association, the Health Sciences Librarians Association of Louisiana, and the Louisiana Library Association. Liz has also presented at numerous conferences and acted as a guest lecturer in countless courses.

Liz is looking forward to new challenges as a retired librarian, including traveling and spending time with her husband, Garland. The LSUHSC-NO Libraries will miss Liz and wish her well in her new life!

-- Julie Schiavo