Two highly valued Preservation Department staff members are retiring as of October 31. Cameron Olen joined the Department in 1981, the days of typewriter ribbons and carbon copies, as deptartment administrative assistant, a position that morphed into office manager as the department grew during the late 80s and early 90s with grant-funded preservation projects. Keeping track of project expenses and funds was no small challenge; during many of those years over a half-dozen different grant-funded projects were simultaneously underway, in addition to Library-funded preservation activities. Cam frequently substituted for the department head, using her broad knowledge of the department and the Library to get things done. She will be much missed.

Charles Stewart has been a key member of the Library's photographic team and a specialist in preservation microfilming since 1978. A proponent of traditional wet photography for its unique advantages as a preservation tool, Charles developed methods for optimizing capture of difficult-to-image materials, including rare books and MSS, and developed a unique system using microfilm for copying photos in large numbers inexpensively. Charles brought recognition to the Preservation Department with his technical expertise by consulting with other preservation microfilming operations in the US and abroad and by producing technical reports for the preservation community. Among major career events, Charles remembers vividly his work to keep operations going during several Library construction projects by erecting camera operations under makeshift conditions in various library stacks and cubbyholes and, when need, by working in a hard hat! Charles's contributions have been many.

Begging November 1 Robert Byler in the Preservation Microfilming Lab will continue to provide as many of our preservation microfilming services as possible. Maxim Osinovsky will pick up some of Cam's duties by serving as deptartment office manager in addition to his ongoing assignment as unit head for the Preservation Replacement Division of the Department.

On behalf of the Preservation Department staff, congratulations and much appreciation to Cam and Charles for their non-stop contributions over decades, and many thanks to Max and Robert for stepping in behind them.

Barclay Ogden
Director for Library Preservation