After 23 years of service to Staley Library Dr. Charles Hale retires as Library Director on June 30. Dr. Hale joined the library in 1976 and has been instrumental in the growth and change Staley Library has experienced since then. The following text is a resolution read before the Millikin University faculty at its final meeting of the current academic year. This serves as an illustration of the impact Dr. Hale has had upon our library. He will be missed by all!
When Dr. Hale came to Millikin University in 1976, the present library building wasn’t even in existence. Subject, author, and title card catalogs were the only way to locate books in the library. The technology tools of the day were electric typewriters!
We’ve come a long way since then, and Dr. Hale has led the charge for change. Early on, Dr. Hale recognized the importance of computer technology for increasing access to resources in libraries. Under his leadership, Millikin’s Staley Library became the first private academic library member of Illinet Online, making statewide library catalogs accessible to our students and faculty. Today, our patrons have worldwide resources at their fingertips. Through the years, Dr. Hale has embraced the new technologies which would best aid our patrons in locating the resources they needed. Whether it was PC’s and modems, or email and the web, Dr. Hale has encouraged its implementation. Consequently, Staley Library has always been on the "cutting edge" of technology use among Illinois libraries.
Though very pro-technology, Dr. Hale has never lost sight of the fact that there’s no substitute for personal human interaction. Dr. Hale has always welcomed questions from students and colleagues, and provided one-on-one assistance to students and faculty in the library on many occasions. He has taught the Library Research Methods course. He has worked with student groups on campus and received an award from students for his efforts. Community residents appreciate his personal attention to their information needs; and he has spent countless hours giving tours of Birks Museum to community groups.
Dr. Hale has also been very active in professional librarianship. He was instrumental in developing the Illinois Library Association Mentoring Network, and DecaturNet. He has been Illinois Academic Librarian of the Year, President of the Private Academic Libraries of Illinois organization, and a member of a Rolling Prairie Library System Board of Trustees. Librarians and library directors throughout the state frequently contact him for advice, as he is highly respected among library directors.
When we think of Staley Library, we think of Dr. Hale. We will remember his always open door, his helpfulness and assistance to students, faculty, and administrators, and his ready smile.
WHEREAS Dr. Hale has served the Staley Library and Millikin University for 23 years with dedication and integrity through times of extreme change; and
WHEREAS Dr. Hale has contributed to the profession of librarianship with distinction and honor; and
WHEREAS Dr. Charles E. Hale has been a respected friend and colleague to many a member of the Millikin community,
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the faculty and administration of Millikin University wish him all the very best in his retirement;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be entered into the minutes of the Millikin faculty this 21st day of May, 1999.