From the Trenholme Director of Libraries

www.mcgill.ca/library-about/pubs/newsletter/ Volume 4, Issue 1 | January 2008

FROM THE TRENHOLME DIRECTOR OF LIBRARIES The Library Matters @ McGill newsletter, brought to you by the you-never-heard- it-from-us editors, seeks to exchange and encourage ideas, innovations and information from McGill Library staff at all levels. The newsletter is published monthly. The latest issue, as well as an archive of past issues, can be found at www.mcgill.ca/library-about/pubs/newsletter. We welcome your contributions. The deadline for submissions is the first day of the issue month. Send your input to the you-never-heard-it-from-us editorial team: Louisa Piatti, louisa.piatti@ mcgill.ca Emma Buckley, [email protected] April Colosimo, [email protected] Rebecca Nicholson, rebecca.nicholson@ mcgill.ca Revelers at the Festive Fête held on December 18 at Redpath Hall included, from left: Prof. Anthony Masi (Provost); Janine Schmidt (Trenholme Director of Libraries); François Émond (Cyberthèque architect); Diane Koen (Associate Director, Planning and Resources). We are always reading reports of the behaviour of the “born digitals” and the generation who is also known as the “google” generation. A recent British study under- INSIDE THIS ISSUE: taken under the auspices of the British Library (www.bl.uk/) and JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee, www.jisc.ac.uk/), who provide world-class leader- ship in the innovative use of IT to support education and research, confirms what WHAT’S NEW 2 many of us who deal with students every day have known for a while. The Library Journal (www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6525984.html) in reporting on the study ESCHOLARSHIP@MCGILL ARRIVES 3 states that: AWARDS SEASON IS HERE AGAIN 4 • Young people are not very web-literate COMING ATTRACTIONS 5 • Libraries must make interfaces easier • Libraries must integrate content with commercial search engines A CELEBRATION OF Every recent report including those by OCLC (www.oclc.org/) has stated the ELAINE YAROSKY’S LIFE 6 same. Yet libraries are slow to respond to the needs identified. There is an awesome responsibility to ensure that today’s young people gain the information skills to access and use the amazing resources available. The report highlights the use of e-books and we already have over one million available. And yes book sales are dropping outside the recreational market. We have the resources, but can our students and faculty find what they need from the vast information array available? Our holdings must be fully available in OCLC and then searchable via Google Scholar as well as Worldcat, for example, and our information skills programs must be firmly linked into curriculum offerings. The future is now and we must design our products and services around today’s information searcher and not the one of yesterday. E-books are developing in interesting ways. Best seller lists of novels in Japan now include books created on cell phones. Of ten best-selling novels in Japan last year, five were created on cell phones. Fast moving thumbs generated thousands of words over many months to form these novels. Sponsored by the popular Japanese PLEASE SEE FROM THE DIRECTOR ON PAGE 3 Volume 4, Issue 1 WHAT’S NEW THE CYBERTHÈQUE IS OPEN! The McGill University Library’s Cyberthèque—a large-scale, multi-purpose information facility—opened its doors for the first time to McGill students on Monday, January 14. Located in the Redpath Library Building at street level facing the snow-covered field, the “experiential” Cyberthèque offers a diverse range of studying and learning spaces for groups and individuals, various technology and multimedia installations and friendly, convenient assistance. The Cyberthèque offers students fresh oppor- tunities for study, learning and information access. The facility includes: • four glassed-in, soundproof group study pods and nine colourful ban- quettes equipped with group work tools including glassboards and lap- top projection to plasma and LCD screens • quiet tables with or without computers for individual study • an e-classroom for information lit- eracy programs, equipped with six 52-inch screens and adaptable to multiple teaching configurations • an assignment production area out- fitted with printers, scanners, photo- copiers and a vending machine for school supplies • a service counter staffed by library technicians, librarians, student navi- gators and library assistants • casual study areas dotted with mov- able, comfortable seating. The Cyberthèque can accommodate 250 users, on 125 workstations and additional seating for wired and wireless laptops. Finishing touches are now being applied in anticipation of a formal launch in the near future. The project was funded by student IT funds provided through the office of the Chief Information Officer, as well as funds from donors and the Library’s Operating Grant. The Cyberthèque project was made possible by the contributions of many, however special thanks go to ékm architecture, particularly François Émond, Bregman and Hamann Architects, McGill Facilities, Pierly “...man will occasionally stumble over the Construction, McGill ICS, McGill NCS truth, but usually manages to pick himself up, and McGill Ancillary Services. walk over or around it, and carry on. ”

| Library Matters @ McGill – Winston Churchill 2 Volume 4, Issue 1 ESCHOLARSHIP@MCGILL ARRIVES! BY GENEVIEVE GORE (COORDINATOR, ESCHOLARSHIP@MCGILL) What is eScholarship@McGill? mize the visibility of their work; general- eScholarship@McGill is a digital ly, they do not write articles for profit, “Open-access publishing requires no sub- repository that archives and showcases they write for impact or exposure. scriptions to use the digital version, allows McGill’s research. The Library maintains Research publications have traditionally any use of the material as long as attribu- the repository, thus providing another been accessible via paid subscriptions to tion is maintained, and involves placing the valuable service to the McGill communi- journals, the cost of which has risen dra- material in a public digital database that can ty and the world beyond. matically in recent years. We at McGill be rigorously searched.” eScholarship@McGill contains ePrints are lucky because we have access to many – Harold Varmus in Kleiner, K. (2003). Freedom and eTheses authored by McGill faculty of these journals through the Library. fighter. New Scientist, Reed Business Information and students, and adheres to the principle However, we do not have access to every Limited (New Scientist). 180: 46-49. of open access. single published journal. Open access breaks down barriers by making the “A university-based institutional reposito- How are eTheses added? results of what is often federally-funded ry is a set of services that a university Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies research available widely and freely on offers to the members of its community for began offering the option of submitting the internet, quickly and efficiently. Open the management and dissemination of dig- theses electronically in April 2007. The access has also been shown to increase ital materials created by the institution and benefits to students include wider and citation counts for articles. its community members. It is most essen- faster dissemination of their work. Once There are two models of open access: tially an organizational commitment to the eTheses are approved by the University, “green” open access, which means self- stewardship of these digital materials, they are sent to the Library and quickly archiving (e.g. in digital repositories or on including long-term preservation where added to the repository, thereby making personal websites), or “gold” open access, appropriate, as well as organization and them readily available to potential which means publishing in open access access or distribution.” employers, students’ families, other journals (e.g. Public Library of Science or – Clifford A. Lynch, “Institutional Repositories: researchers, and the online world. BioMed Central journals). Self-archiving Essential Infrastructure for Scholarship in the or “green” open access is possible Digital Age” ARL, no. 226 (February 2003): 1-7. What about ePrints? because non-open access publishers fre- ePrints are scholarly publications such quently allow authors to disseminate pre- as research articles, conference papers, prints (pre-refereed articles), post-prints cations on the web. working papers, books and research (post peer-review), or even the published As of October 2007, eScholarship reports. The Library receives lists of pub- version of articles on their own personal @McGill contained over 420 ePrints and lications from McGill faculty and stu- websites, or ideally, within their institu- 152 eTheses. We hope to see these num- dents, and takes care of verifying copy- tional repository. bers rise as the value of open access is right permissions on their behalf. eScholarship@McGill adheres to the more widely recognized by students and eScholarship@McGill ensures that Dublin Core metadata standard and will faculty alike. We also hope members of researchers’ publications are available to use the CARLCore Metadata Application the library staff will encourage faculty as all and not locked up in subscription- Profile. These metadata elements are well as students to contribute toward based databases or journals. exposed to search engines such as Google, building a strong repository at McGill. Google Scholar, and YAHOO! via OAI- If you have any questions, please feel How can eScholarship@McGill benefit PMH, the Open Archives Initiative for free to contact Genevieve Gore, researchers? Metadata Harvesting. This substantially Coordinator, eScholarship@McGill. Academic researchers write to maxi- increases the visibility of McGill’s publi-

FROM THE DIRECTOR, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 cell phone site Maho no i-rando, these respected and well liked library staff, formal seating and assistance in new formats of romance novels begin a Elaine Yarosky, on December 22 and we the use of it all. The e-classroom new literary culture. They are also being pay tribute to her elsewhere in this in the Cyberthèque will provide printed in paper format. Perhaps assign- newsletter. the capacity for us to provide the ments in the future will be created on cell We have begun the year with the open- information skills training classes phones? ing of the Cyberthèque. Thanks go to we know our students need to Last year concluded with a successful everyone for their patience. Some of the make full use of our resources. library festive fête. Thanks to all for construction is still not quite completed but coming and for all the work we achieved the students are demonstrating the popular- Janine Schmidt, in 2007. We were saddened and shocked ity of the new space with its additional Trenholme Director by the passing of one of our most computers, spots for laptops, casual and of Libraries | Library Matters @ McGill 3 Volume 4, Issue 1 AWARDS SEASON IS HERE AGAIN

The Library is calling for submissions awards/) for each candidate and supply a 2001 Sharon Rankin, Systems Office for the library awards. Submissions are supporting statement (two pages maxi- 2002 Hanna Waluzyniec, Schulich due February 29, 2008. The details of the mum) by the due date, describing how the Library awards follow. nominee meets or surpasses the criteria. 2003 Christine Oliver, Library Send the printed nomination form and Technical Services LIBRARY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION supporting statement to the Office of the 2004 Joanna Andrews, Library Purpose and Selection Criteria: Trenholme Director of Libraries – Staff Technical Services Many Library staff members make out- Awards Committee. 2005 Cynthia Leive, Marvin Duchow standing contributions to McGill’s contin- Frequency of Award: Annually, at Music Library ued success and exceptional reputation. the discretion of the Trenholme Director 2006 not awarded The annually presented Career of Libraries. 2007 Kendall Wallis, Humanities & Recognition Award and Library Staff Decision Process: The Director of Social Sciences Library Excellence Award (further details below) Libraries, in consultation with the recognize these important efforts and Associate Directors and the last three Library Staff Excellence Award achievements. Library staff are encour- recipients of each of the awards will Purpose: This award will recognize aged to nominate coworkers who have select the successful candidate. an outstanding contribution by a member demonstrated commitment and dedication Presentation of the Awards: The of the support staff currently on appoint- to the Library’s mission statement: awards are presented at an annual celebra- ment to the McGill Libraries. McGill University Library advances tion. Eligibility: All members of the sup- teaching, learning, research and com- port staff within the Library System are munity service by providing outstand- Career Recognition Award eligible, that is, all staff holding a classifi- ing collections, access to the world of Purpose: This award will recognize cation of “LA”, “C”, “M” or “T”. knowledge, excellence in service and an exceptional contribution by a librarian, Procedure: Nominations must be an appropriate library environment, currently on appointment to the McGill submitted in writing, describing the all of which are client-focused and University Libraries. nature of the nominee's contribution, responsive to the needs of the McGill Eligibility: All librarians presently on together with the endorsement of two sup- community. appointment are eligible for considera- port staff. Nominees are expected to have shown tion. Past Winners an exceptional understanding of the Procedure: Nominations must be 1993 Francisco Uribe, Humanities Library’s motto: Information, Innovation, submitted in writing, identifying and and Social Sciences Library Service, and may be nominated for out- describing the nature of the nominee’s 1994 Diane Philip, Humanities and standing contributions in the areas of: contribution, together with the endorse- Social Sciences Library • Job performance ment of two McGill librarians. 1995 Theo Lawrence, Library • Client service Past Winners Technical Services • Communication skills 1988 Angella Lambrou, Health 1996 Adèle Toutant, Law Library • Collaboration with other libraries/ Sciences Library 1997 Gary Tynski, Division of Rare sections 1989 Jane Aitkens, Systems Office Books and Special Collections • Contribution to the practice or pro- 1990 Irena Murray, Blackader- 1998 Louise Nadeau, Library fession of librarianship Lauterman Library Technical Services • Promotional activities 1991 Donna Duncan, Library 1999 Mary Lourenço, Law Library • Teamwork Technical Services 2000 Jane Jackel, Howard Ross • Special initiative/s 1992 David Crawford, Health Library/Systems Office • Creative problem solving. Sciences Library 2001 Anne Habbick, Blacker-Wood All Library members of the library 1993 not awarded Library staff, with the exception of the winners of 1994 Joan Hobbins, Library 2002 Zafiro Bouwman, Serials the 2003-2007 awards and the Director Technical Services Department and Associate Directors, are eligible for 1995 Selima Mohammed, Library 2003 Anna Di Pietro, Health nomination. Permanent part-time and per- Technical Services Sciences Library manent sessional staff may be considered 1996 Stephen Park, Law Library 2004 David Curtis, Marvin for the awards provided the length of 1997 Louis Houle, Physical Sciences Duchow Music Library service is equivalent to three years full- and Engineering Library 2005 Penelope Aubin, Library time employment in the Library. 1998 Pat Riva, Library Technical Technical Services Nominations will be called annually for Services 2006 Lise Hackett, Library each of the awards. 1999 Eleanor MacLean, Blacker- Technical Services Procedure: Following the guidelines Wood Library of Biology 2007 John Black, Marvin

for each award, complete the form (see 2000 Sharon Lynn Grant, Health Duchow Music Library | Library Matters @ McGill www.mcgill.ca/library-about/general/ Sciences Library 4 Volume 4, Issue 1 COMING ATTRACTIONS Outlook Calendar training Friday, February 29, 2008 Monday, February 25, 2008 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. “Get to Know Excel: Enter Formulas” McLennan building M3-37A This is a hands-on training session in Registration for either or both required. which staff will work together as a group Open to all Library staff. Please discuss through the two Microsoft online training attendance with your supervisor. Please modules below. LTS staff will be present email or call Joanne Hay at 4787. to assist and to answer questions. There will be time for practice at the end. An exploration of Web 3.0 and “Get to Know Your Outlook Calendar” Libraries: was Web 2.0 so long ago? and Thursday, February 28, 2008 “So That’s How! Great Outlook Calendar 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Features to Make Time Work for You” Bronfman Building, Room 179 Registration required. Open to all Library If you attended one of our popular Web staff. Please discuss attendance with your 2.0 presentations, you know how the supervisor. Please email or call Joanne Hay Web 2.0 approach to social computing is at 4787. already revolutionizing Library services. By contrast, Web 3.0 products such as Excel training the Semantic Web and web ontology These are hands-on training sessions in languages are still highly experimental. j which staff will work together as a group They have not had a noticeable impact through the Microsoft online training mod- yet, but they possess even greater poten- ules below. There will be practice time at tial to redefine the ways in which “I am too much of the end of the session. LTS staff will be Libraries—and Library staff—provide a sceptic to deny present to assist and answer questions. service to clients. Join Andrew Collier, the possibility of Rajiv Johal, Deborah Meert, and Louise anything.” Wednesday, February 27, 2008 O’Neill for a glimpse of the future.

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Open to all staff, no registration required. – Thomas Henry Huxley, British biologist “Get to Know Excel: Create your First Please discuss attendance with your super- j Workbook” visor.

Answer to the holiday puzzle from December

K I L M

M I L K S A B R S

B R A S S R S C C U I C I R C U S H W A T E R

W R E A T H Where does Santa like to study when he’s at the Library? At the

C H R I S T M A S C A R R E L S | Library Matters @ McGill 5 Volume 4, Issue 1

A Celebration of Elaine Yarosky’s Life

Tuesday, January 8, 2008 McGill University Library Volume 4, Issue 1 Elaine Yarosky – incredibly independent. She was would never care about the cost or Eulogy strong willed, and she would just the hassle but to her there was no find a way to get things done with- solution but change it to the way by Karen and Lauren out help a lot of the time. I don’t she wanted it. And frankly she did Yarosky even know how she managed half and it and it always looked a lot Mom was quirky to say the very the stuff she did, because she just better. She knew what she liked least, and that is something that did it. And it’s funny, because both and she knew what she didn’t like rubbed off on Lauren and I and set Lauren and I open up stuff with our and it was important to her to make us on a very interesting path teeth, and wrap packages with our sure things were done right. through life. Anyone who knew her feet and barrel through life just knew she did not mince words and knowing stuff has to get done and Our mum knew how to throw a had very strong opinions and it was we just do it … and it’s one of the party – and one of the most impor- almost impossible to ever change best and most precious gifts that tant things we ever learned was no her mind. This made her a very mum gave us, I appreciate it in matter what patisserie you ordered strong character and a force to be myself and I see that not every- from, no matter what their reputa- reckoned with and I have no prob- body has that gift in this world. tion, you always look in the box to lem saying that you always knew We learned that through her just by make sure your order is right before where mom stood on something osmosis and it has served us incred- you hop in a cab. You never know once she opened her mouth. She ibly well in facing life and also in if they’ve done it right unless you was also very very funny. Mum had facing death. check yourself. This may seem like a wicked sense of humour and she Mum faced so many brutal chal- a small anecdote but it actually was was very perceptive and I’m sure we lenges in her life and it’s really just mum’s philosophy on life and it’s have all sat with mom and been coming home now how strongly she true. I learnt this of course because shocked, horrified and completely fought for so much. Maybe that’s I was helping her out for one of her amused at her particular take on what made her appreciative of the famous New Years’ Eve parties and any situation. Her stories about all beautiful things in life. Classical I didn’t check in the box ‘cause I the nogoodnicks hanging out in the music has always been a huge part was in a rush, and I came home library (and no I don’t mean the of her life. In fact, I don’t think we with a raspberry torte instead of a people that worked there) kept were ever allowed to play rock and tarte tatin. And you may say many people laughing on her par- roll in the house, it was all classical “apples or oranges”. But if you ticular take on life. Mom loved the , all the time. Maybe in the 60’s want life to be a bowl of cherries, library. You could tell, because it’s and 70’s she allowed in a little Joan and you don’t check in the box, you what she complained about most. Baez and Yellow Submarine ... but might end up with lemons. And She was a librarian for all of my that was it. Mum sang in choirs for frankly mum thought sure, you can life .. well that’s not true, she was a so many years and she practiced so make lemonade … but tarte tatin librarian for most of my life and hard that by the time the concert tastes better and she sure wasn’t then one day she came home and came around both Lauren and I/ going to serve lemonade to her suddenly she was an information we could literally sing the requiems friends. A couple of other things technologist. What kept her going along with her. She specifically that mum taught us, that really did right until the end was her work at requested the music that played change my life are times when I McGill. And what was very impor- today and I’ll never listen to called her when I was having really tant to her, and one of the most Chopin’s nocturnes or Schubert rough times. There are two that I important things that I am going to without thinking about her. We can remember vividly. Once her say, and that I want everyone to saw her sing at Carnegie Hall in a response was there’s more fish in know, is that she worked there for choir and it was totally awesome. the sea which seem simplistic but 50 years. It really was one of the kind of changed my life at the time, big things that kept her going. Up Mum surrounded herself with beau- and sometimes you just need those until just a few weeks ago. She was tiful things. She loved art, she simple truths. The other was when very proud of her commitment to loved music unconditionally and I called her in existential despair the library, and so are we. with abandon, good food and nice because I was overwhelmed with clothes. All of that was reflected in the fact that the world was a mess It was incredible the things mum her home and was something she and that nothing I could ever do as did with only one arm. Lauren and got from her mum Gammy Rae. I one simple person could ever make I didn’t know that it was even that could never do it, but Lauren would a difference. And mom told me that special because that’s how we knew sit for hours with her talking about in Quebec women didn’t even have her our whole life. But for somebody the difference between beige and the vote until the 50’s and women with one arm it was very rare that light beige and pale beige, she fought and fought for that right she ever needed a hand (and I’m would freak out because they paint- and it took a long time, and strong allowed to say that joke ‘cause we ed the front door coffee and it belief to make that happen, and said it to her quite a bit). Mum was should have been toffee and she now we just take it for granted. But Volume 4, Issue 1 if they hadn’t believed in that and And with that you do become a and family, to former staff who fought for that for so long it would stronger person. And Lauren and I return to McGill to remember Elaine never have come to fruition. She are a lot like our mom. with much affection and respect, and told me that I should take that with to our current Library and University me, and fight long and hard and be There’s way too much to say about staff at McGill. patient and that I could make a dif- mum here, but through all the ference in life.. and that you have to amazing conversations I’ve had I would first like to ask the Provost, fight .. and it might be a long one. with all her friends since mum died Dr. Tony Masi, to speak. It was really important lesson I know that it doesn’t need to all be because sometimes you need a per- said right now. I feel like I have to spective that is longer than your explain to everybody what an amaz- ELAINE SANFT YAROSKY personal experience to make sense of ing and unique person she was , but B.A., McGill, 1957 (English and it … and mum could be relied on to everybody knows, and like all good French Literature, Art History, give you that perspective. art and music, she means a lot of Music) different things to a lot of different B.L.S., McGill, 1958 We had an amazing education in people, and through listening to Faculty of Graduate Studies and our lives. While other kids were her, hanging out with her and Research, 1961 -1965. Completed going off camping or to Disney interpreting her, we’ve all been Course requirements for M.A. in land, mum and dad would be tak- challenged and humored and English Literature. ing us to Europe or New York to see moved by her presence. To end I M.L.S. McGill, 1985. plays or we would be going to con- wish you the following that was certs on weekends. We ate at the bred into us but I think is some- Prof. Anthony Masi: Elaine com- best restaurants, there was no thing that we can take from mum’s menced work in the McGill Library bologna, Captain Crunch or Easy life and apply it to our own … system in the Blacker-Wood Library Bake ovens in our childhood. enjoy the view, demand silence in 1958, nearly 50 years ago! Presents from my parents were (when appropriate), be strong, Over the span of half a century, always educational, we were always always check in the patisserie box Elaine worked in various positions allowed to buy as many books as we (even if it comes from the Duc De across the Library system, in both wanted, even if it was 20 at a time, Lorraine), listen to good music and full and part time capacities. We at we took it for granted that we got listen to yourself. It’s not a bad McGill are very proud of that amaz- music lessons and horse back riding recipe in this tumultuous life. ing achievement, as I am sure her lessons and our whole lives, one of family is. the favorite things that we liked to In line with her earliest academic do with mum since we were kids, Celebration of Elaine interests, Elaine spent most of her was to go to museums and go from Yarosky’s Life time in the Humanities and Social painting to painting and discuss Tuesday, January 8, 2008 Sciences Library, relating both to the each one. Mum would point out McGill University Library collections and to reference and things in each one that she thought information work. She also had stints represented this or that and in the Law, Education and Social through this we learnt to evaluate Janine Schmidt: Welcome to this very special memorial occasion for Work Libraries. what was put before us and create In my conversations with her I was intelligent opinions about what we Elaine Yarosky. We were all shocked and deeply saddened to learn of very impressed by the way she tried saw in our lives. Mum made sure to “shape collections”, and by all that we went through life looking Elaine’s death in December and while many staff were able to attend accounts in the Humanities and and learning, and judging and Social Sciences area in particular, she making our own opinions as she the service for her, others were absent over the holiday period. We did a superb job. did in her own life. This allows you At McGill, over the course of her to be a powerful person and live wanted to provide an opportunity for a celebration of Elaine’s life in the career, Elaine Yarosky provided out- your life as best you can and as you standing support to generations of want it. Even when she was very Library. I contacted Elaine’s daughters, Karen and Lauren, and it was faculty, researchers, and students at sick in the hospital, she looked at us all levels; she guided and provided and said ”this is quite an educa- they who decided that their Mum should be remembered on a joyous wise counsel to scores of young (and tion, eh?” and as difficult as it was some older) librarians; and she made to be there and to be going through informal occasion which is what we are seeking to do here today. strong contributions to the it all, even then, mum was making University through such committees us aware that our experience here Firstly, therefore, a very special welcome to Karen and Lauren. as the Faculty of Arts Curriculum on this earth is to be evaluated and Committee, the Senate Committee on that we should stay aware of how We extend to all of you a very sin- Libraries and the MAUT Librarian interesting, horrible, beautiful, Section. banal and complicated life can be. cere welcome – to Elaine’s friends Volume 4, Issue 1 Elaine also represented the McGill Her smiles, her frowns, Library on various external commit- •Elaine was the quintessential librar- Her ups, her downs tees. In particular her work on the ian in terms of her commitment to Were second nature to us all; Library Board Executive of the service and the development of a Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute has scholarly academic library. We grew accustomed to her look; been commended by her colleagues. Accustomed to her voice; She was much appreciated by those •I wouldn’t want Elaine’s sense of Accustomed to her face. with whom she worked on various humour or her concern for her col- CREPUQ committees and she consis- leagues to go forgotten. Elaine, we shall all miss you. tently and highly professionally represented McGill’s views to the Center •A more dedicated, zealous librarian for Research Libraries in Chicago. could not be found. Tribute given by Kendall Wallis She was also a strong participant in the Executive of the Montreal •She was always a lady in the truest Practice! Practice! Practice! Chapter of the Association of Jewish sense and exhibited poise, class and Some thoughts on Elaine Sanft Libraries. purpose in all she did. She had a way Yarosky While I did not work directly with about her that kept those around her her, I did hear much about her from grounded in reality even when she Elaine’s professional career is well her librarian colleagues and from was going through her own personal known to most of you, and although those whom she served so well. Even hell. her parallel musical career was no a brief encounter with Elaine, given secret, there were aspects of it that the chance to listen to her speak of •I admired Elaine for her strong remained in the shadows. The regu- her work, and the immediate impres- service ethics, her unflinching but lar concerts with such professional sion, confirmed by her remarkable not cynical realism and her ability to vocal groups as the St Lawrence years and achievements at McGill build and maintain relationships. Choir, MSO Choir, and even a gig and its Library, was of a woman who with the Philadelphia Orchestra was thorough, thoughtful, imagina- •Elaine was one of a kind and will Chorus punctuated her years and tive, intelligent, and tireless in her be greatly missed. testify to the dedication and above pursuit of quality and excellence. all the quality of the second career Elaine Yarosky made highly signifi- I had come to know Elaine and that ran alongside her chosen profes- cant contributions to the Library and respect her enormously in the three sion as a librarian; a life which most to McGill University. I also remem- years I have been at McGill. We had of us see as being quite full enough, ber her as being kind, gentle, and many chats about various matters – thank you, very much. generous. I am sure that she will be we did not always agree but each of Sometimes to my delight her two long remembered by colleagues as a us learned from the other. Elaine careers intersected. There were the friend and a guide. Elaine made a demonstrated an amazing capacity to late evenings at work when a head difference and she will be missed. grow and develop and to constantly would pop around the office door broaden her horizons. She saw huge and as proper a Brooklyn accent as changes in her working life and was ever heard on Flatbush Avenue Janine Schmidt: In preparing for adapted amazingly well to them – would emerge: today, we asked people to send in even if she did not like doing email their memories of Elaine. We have at home and even if she was not keen “Take back your mink, been inundated with wonderful mes- on wearing the dreaded name badge! Take back your pearls, sages describing Elaine’s contribu- She will be long remembered for her What made you think tions to McGill and the impact she professionalism; her sense of what That I was one of those girls?” made on each individual with whom was right and what was good; her she worked. I shall read a few snip- wit; her charm; her deep brown eyes; And the show went on from there; pets. her enigmatic smile; her generosity; “Adelaide’s Lament” from Frank her energy; her strength; her courage Loesser’s “Guys and Dolls” was •A fiercely loyal friend, implacable in the face of personal adversity; her guaranteed to put a stop to any proj- upright and discreetly present, much sense of self and her sense of pur- ect that was burning the evening oil like the heroines of the novels by pose; a class one act. and make me pack up and go home, Barbara Pym or Ivy Compton shaking with laughter. It worked Burnett that she liked to read. In the words of My Fair Lady: every time.

•She had an uncanny ability to get We had grown accustomed to her An old joke: A man is in New York people to do things they might never face. City and he’s late for a concert at have considered. Her technique for She almost made the day begin. Carnegie Hall and he’s lost. He’s doing so remains a mystery… walking down the street and sees a Volume 4, Issue 1 guy with a violin case under his arm Because Elaine had an experiential, What have I and so many others and thinks “This guy’ll know where even visceral (or “evidence-based”) learned from Elaine? Carnegie Hall is” so he asks, “Hey, feel for what was “out there” in the Practice! Practice! Practice! how do you get to Carnegie Hall?” world of information, a world which Without looking up, the guy with the she knew first-hand in so many of its Kendall Wallis fiddle case says, “Practice! Practice! manifestations, she approached the Humanities & Social Sciences Practice!” and keeps walking.... new technology with a practical view Library, McGill University to as to its speed (always undeni- And, yes, eventually Elaine got to the able), scope (always less than what stage of Carnegie Hall. was wanted) and usefulness (always Tribute given by Valerie Mayman high, but rarely perfect). Practice! Practice! Practice! was Elaine and I have been close col- Elaine’s professional mantra: When the electronic age dawned, the leagues and friends for many years. newly sliced kind of bread was not It was however in the last 15 years or • In 1958 Elaine was the automatically better for Elaine; it had so, that our work collaborations grew Reference Librarian in the Blacker- to taste good and be nourishing as into an almost a daily event, and on Wood Library and F. Cyril James well. To her delight, she found it every large or small library theme was principal of McGill University; was often both. And, much to the imaginable. • In 1961 Elaine was the surprise of her daughters, she Reference Librarian in the Social became an “Information technolo- McGill has one of the great library Work Library and John Diefenbaker gist.” collections in North America and was Prime Minister; internationally. Elaine had a superb • In 1976 Elaine was the Map In her decades as a librarian, we knowledge of the collections in the Curator in the Rare Book moved from an age of information humanities and social sciences and Department and Saul Bellow won the scarcity to an age of information was very proud to have been part of Nobel Prize for Literature; superfluity. Because of her wide an illustrious tradition of more than • In 1989 Elaine was a experience in all those libraries and 5 generations of librarians and Reference Librarian in the Law media (grey literature, law reports, library staff, professors and others in Library and Margaret Thatcher was maps, government documents – the McGill community, alumni, Prime Minister of Great Britain; were you counting?) she knew what donors, friends, and members of the • In 1993 Elaine was Acting was out there and why it was essen- broader public, who have con- Head Librarian in the Education tial and why it was often neglected, tributed to the methodical, and Library and Federico Fellini died; much to the detriment of the sometimes serendipitous building of • In 2001 Elaine was Acting research question at hand. McGill's research collections of McLennan Librarian and the film intense intellectual and scholarly “Jurassic Park 3” was released. Practice! Practice! Practice! strength, depth, and diversity of sub- Because, as a librarian, Elaine grew jects. up in an age of imperfect, often Practice made Elaine physically and homegrown systems, where you had intellectually aware of just how Every week I personally am amazed to know the scope of your collection much information is out there and or bemused at the numerous and and the limits of your tools, she how hard it often still is to find it. varied requests sent to the McGill learned to work around those limits Library by external university through knowledge, inventiveness, Practice made Elaine pedagogically libraries, near and far, to borrow hard work, applied experience and aware of how necessary it is to make items from our collections for their patience. that information available and to researchers, that few or no other enable researchers and teach stu- institutions own, particularly our One of Elaine’s hallmarks as a librari- dents to find it. 19th and early 20th century materi- an was her sense of diligence and Practice made Elaine philosophically als, in many languages and formats. thoroughness. John Hobbins tells of aware how necessary it is to ensure And one need only take a few more than once finding Elaine, at a that the Library acquire the best moments to behold the astonishing time when she was a “lowly casual” material for scholars and ensure exhibit currently on display in the (her phrase), paid by the hour, long access to it. McLennan lobby to experience a after her time-sheet had expired, sample of the richness of our collec- working on a reference question Practice made Elaine ethically aware tions. because it was important and unfin- how necessary it is to train and men- ished. The answer was out there and tor young colleagues to carry on this Elaine was always most generous in she would find it. She usually did. complex and valuable task. sharing her knowledge with others, whether working with colleagues at the McGill Library or with consortia Volume 4, Issue 1 partners, or in providing enthusiastic Valerie Mayman A more dedicated, zealous librarian assistance to students, professors or Humanities & Social Sciences could not be found. Nor could one anyone wanting to learn about using Library, McGill University more gracious and fair in her deal- the library’s collections. ings with colleagues. Elaine's vast knowledge of the library collections She was a source of inspiration to I would say that three things always and her unswerving commitment to many. We deeply admired her struck me about Elaine. The first was its growth and integrity will be sore- courage in the face of many life chal- courage – courage in facing life ly felt. lenges, and respected her work ethic under some fairly difficult circum- and dedication. stances of which her handicap was Marilyn Fransiszyn not necessarily the greatest. She Humanities & Social Sciences Her commitment to the profession, faced more than the average number Library, McGill University loyalty to McGill, and her values, of slings and arrows of outrageous were a beacon and role model for us fortune. Second, she was always all. Her passion for music and her extremely dedicated to her job, often She had a superb knowledge of col- singing, love of theatre, film, and art, staying hours later to finish ques- lections for the humanities and social nourished and defined her. tions when she was a casual and did sciences. She collaborated across the not get paid for it. Indeed she may McGill Library and coordinated her Elaine also had a compassionate sometimes have worried too much colleagues to develop strong collec- understanding of and empathy for about things far beyond her control tions across the system. Her knowl- others, was extraordinarily courteous because of this dedication. She was edge of collections for research and yet was always pragmatic and always highly professional in what- libraries was recognized and applied forthright. She brought out the best ever position she was working, but beyond McGill. She represented in people. She had wonderful sense she also cared about global aspect of McGill on the CREPUQ collections of humour and irony, and was a library service for which she had no group – DCBV, le Groupe de travail master of the apt anecdote. In private responsibility. Finally, she always sur le développement des collections she and I engaged in hot debates in acted in a dignified and appropriate de la bibliothèque universitaire et de frank and salty language, but she is manner, at least in public, although recherche virtuelle québécoise - and among those who taught me how to she could let her hair down a bit in contributed significantly to provin- truly listen. private. Courage, dignity and dedica- cial collaborative initiatives for tion are the main traits I associate development of collections in all dis- There has been an outpouring of with her. ciplines. This connection generated, affection and respect from many cur- as well, friendships with counter- rent and former colleagues and John Hobbins parts at other universities. friends who have written notes in Nahum Gelber Law Library, McGill recent days. Several have comment- University Her critical intelligence made her a ed on her grace and elegance, her valuable member of McGill’s profes- legendary hospitality, and, as one so sional librarian community. She was eloquently stated, “ her radiant As a colleague of Elaine's, I think of active in the MAUT Librarian’s smile which would cheer the most two things. With Elaine it was all or Section, for many years as a member stressed.” nothing. Since nothing wasn't an of the Professional Issues Committee option, it had to be all. and more recently on the A bright light has gone out in the Nominating Committee. Her contri- library at McGill. The second thing is the extra mile. butions ensured broad participation With Elaine there was no extra mile - of and support for librarians at As David said on the death of his it was always part of the journey. McGill in professional matters. friend Jonathan, in the Old Testament, Book of Samuel, I can think of no better definition of Jim Henderson “How the mighty have fallen”. professionalism. Add to that Life Sciences Library, McGill warmth, charm, humour and a dash University I shall feel the pain and void of of the ability to exasperate, and you & Elaine’s loss everyday and miss her have Elaine. Jocelyn Godolphin keenly. Assistant Director, Collection Louise Robertson Services However, her legacy will forever Associate Law Librarian and Law Concordia University Library remain in our collective hearts and Cataloguer McGill University mind and soul as we carry on in our work. To me Elaine was the intellectual heart of the collection. She made sure Volume 4, Issue 1 we kept our eye on the ball, not let- fiercely independent. She rarely ting us be seduced by easily bought asked for help. Committed to excellence in service bundles that would give us a white- Elaine was an excellent Librarian delivery to the users bread collection, but encouraged us with a capital "L". She loved her Very high sense of duty to buy in unsexy formats like micro- work and she loved McGill. Thorough researcher as a reference film if it meant that would increase Elaine was the one who knew the librarian - would not leave a single the scholarly depth of the collection. library collections better than anyone possible source unchecked She venerated the "orphan" collec- else. She had worked closely with Concerned for the future of the tions like GDOCS and Cutter. Just Elizabeth Silvester and played an McGill Libraries and of the librarians because the format or classification important role in the development under her supervision was cumbersome or different, she and growth of the library. She was a Superb knowledge of our collections prized them for their content, and liaison librarian long before the term and resources elsewhere looked out for their interests with was coined, connecting with Faculty A lady in the whole sense of the particular concern, whatever difficul- in the humanities. She was instru- word. She had class. ties they might present. mental in getting some important gift For me these were Elaine's greatest collections that have added to the Juanita Jara de Súmar gifts to McGill-although her memory greatness of McGill's libraries and Humanities & Social Sciences of the collection was truly phenome- have led to its recognition as one of Library, McGill University nal. Whenever I had to give a session the best research collections in North in a history class, Elaine would America. remind me to mention all kinds of Elaine had very strong convictions When I think of Elaine I think of collections we had purchased in the about her library and was never class and courage and excellence in past that I should have remembered afraid to speak her mind. all things. myself but didn't. I don't think she She still had so much to contribute to ever had a senior moment. She had a the Library and we will all miss her Halyna Carpenter, memory like a steel trap when it terribly. Humanities & Social Sciences came to the collection. Who needed Library, McGill University Muse when we had Elaine around. Marilyn Berger Blackader-Lauterman Library of Art Phyllis Rudin & Architecture, McGill University Hard to single out particular memo- Humanities & Social Sciences ries out of so many, but we both Library, McGill University used to get a lot of conversations out A best friend to so many people of both the London theatre of which Intellectual curiosity she was very fond, and of the British Elaine, as everyone has said, was a Care and concern to students, facul- comedies on PBS. It is hard to believe wonderful person. As a librarian, ty, all library staff, individual library that I shall not hear her calling me she was the consummate profession- working in at any given time, the again in a very English voice "Mrs al - intelligent, committed, experi- McGill library system and McGill Farthing, are you free?" when she enced, creative and always prepared University as a whole wanted to see me. Those familiar to share her extensive knowledge. 50 years of service to an institution with the show Are You Being As a person she was kind, generous, she loved deeply and held in high Served? will recognise the line. courageous, sensible and extremely esteem and proud to be associated funny. I feel privileged to have with Sheila Farthing, Retired, Library worked with her for decades and Patience Assistant Collections Department benefited from being both her col- Extremely accurate in all her endeav- Humanities & Social Sciences league and her friend…I guess you ors Library, McGill University could say her cooperative example Good nature brought out the best in others. She So much fun to be with (girls night seemed always to be able to "rise outings--various groups) I always got on very well with above". Young of heart and mind Elaine, particularly at the start of my Youthful appearance career at McGill (she mentored me at Judy Symansky Classy dresser the HSSL reference desk, where I Howard Ross Library of Her singing worked afternoons in the late '80s) Management, McGill University A big yes to so many things her and when I was Principal Librarian daughters had to say about her in 2006. She was always the level- headed one who could find a way to Elaine was a beautiful person. She Joan Hobbins persuade others that something was kind, thoughtful and always Collections Services, McGill Library could actually be done, even if they wore a beautiful smile. She was thought the opposite. She was also a Volume 4, Issue 1 lady in the truest sense and exhibited the interests of the department and A little later on she was the one with poise, class and purpose in all she ensured that our core collections whom I switched jobs. She came to did. She had a way about her that remained intact. Equally important, work up in Law (for some peace and kept those around her grounded in she was a fun to interact with, both quiet) and I went to HSSL (for some reality, even when she was (appar- professionally and personally. I miss buzz and activity). Over the years ently) going through her own per- her. Elaine, who eventually taught me sonal hell. Elaine was a wonderful how to be a better reference librarian, colleague to a great many of us, and A. A. J. Marley reference desk supervisor and bibli- she will be greatly missed. Professor Emeritus McGill ographer was steadfast and loyal. University Robert F. Clarke in conversation Adjunct Professor University of She could always be counted on to with Judy Symansky Victoria remember the facts and details. She University Librarian, Trent was never without her little note- University book which seemed to be an ongoing I admired Elaine for her strong serv- to do list. I remember her ability to ice ethic, her unflinching (but not have an opinion and you certainly Elaine was someone for whom I had cynical) realism and her ability to knew what it was. Topics were both great affection and great build and maintain relationships. It is broad ranging, from the items held respect. Unswerving professionalism, truly mind boggling to think of how in CRL, to discussions about dedication, intelligence, wit. much change she witnessed over the Inspector Morse and Adam She was an example to us all. past 50 years, especially the last 10. Dalgleish, (yes we knew they were fictional characters), to whether you Margaret (Maggie) Monks Elizabeth Silvester, former Head, could tell how expensive a piece of McLennan Librarian, 1992-1997, Reference & Collections clothing was by just feeling it with McGill University Humanities & Social Sciences your fingers. Library, McGill University Her enjoyment of time with friends Elaine had extensive experience was evident as was her love of cul- throughout the McGill Libraries. Everyone who had the good fortune ture be it music, art or movies. If Wherever she was, she brought a to be a colleague of Elaine's must you went into her office you found professional approach that translated have appreciated her hard work, her cocooned with selection slips, into special collections being docu- dedication and excellent manners. budget sheets, reports, etc but some- mented and excellent public services As a friend she was always good fun how the conversations always came in law, government documents and to be with and her hospitality and around to culture. How did you hit the social sciences and humanities. generosity were legendary. In recent the high soprano notes? Which pas- Recently she presided over the tran- years, since we moved to England, sages of either Mozart’s Requiem or sition to electronic journals for we have had to rely on telephone Handel’s Messiah were the most McGill’s largest library, maintaining calls and on her visits here. We are inspiring to sing? What plays did a judicious balance of electronic and going to miss that quiet voice on the you see in London? ( she told me more traditional formats. Elaine was telephone, and the hilarity of her about seeing the actor John Thaw, one of a kind and will be greatly English trips, when she would fit even though we still referred to him missed. more theatre visits into a day than as Inspector Morse) seemed humanly possible. A friend Carol Marley like Elaine is irreplaceable. She would always try to remind us Former Information Sciences about culture. Supper discussions at Librarian and Bibliographer Albert Schachter the Taj would often be interrupted Hitschfeld Geographic Information Emeritus Professor,History, McGill with a plea for a cultural discussion - Centre, McGill Library University what have you read, or seen or & heard…Did you go to a museum on June Schachter, former, Reference, your holiday? I had many occasions to work with Collections & Government Elaine during my time at McGill, Documents Librarian She had an uncanny ability to get both as a “regular” professor and as Humanities & Social Sciences people to do things they might never Chair of the Department of Library, McGill University have considered. Her technique for Psychology. Much of the latter was doing so remains a mystery…..to this during the period of significant day I am not sure how she convinced budgets constraints, when the library I first was introduced to Elaine, me to run for and serve a term as serials required significant cuts. appropriately enough, at a restaurant Chair of the MAUT librarian’s sec- Elaine was always well-informed of where she was enjoying a fine meal. tion. Volume 4, Issue 1 many years she was one of the librar- late much exciting research on the I never heard her say “I can’t”. Faced ians I most often turned to for advice Atlantic World in the 18th, 19th and with a new challenge, she figured and information. We were on many 20th centuries. She worked in close out a way to do it. If asked, she committees together, and she had an contact with the professors and had a would tell you how she did it. I was excellent ability to conduct business deep grasp of what we care about, curious to know how she turned the in a pleasant and positive way. how we do our research, and what pages of a music score which was in Elaine was always someone I could books mean to us and to our stu- a three ring binder. Ey’s answer was count on to be cheerful and helpful, dents. I feel deeply privileged to quite practical…she put paper clips even when we were working on have known your mother, who was a on the top of the pages….simple something neither of us wanted to do wonderful human being and an once you think of it…. – such as cut back on journal sub- exceptional librarian who kept the scriptions or otherwise figure out flame of learning alive. I so enjoyed Louisa Piatti how to cope with inadequate working with her and I will miss her Law Library, McGill University resources. very much.

With my deep sympathy at this very Catherine LeGrand Thank you for the invitation to the sad time, Associate Professor and Chair, Memorial/Celebration for Elaine. As Department of History, Faculty of I will be going to Toronto that after- Mary MacKinnon Arts, McGill University noon, I will be unable to attend. I Associate Dean, Academic did, however, attend the funeral on Administration and Oversight December 24. Elaine was a fine per- Faculty of Arts, McGill University I received this morning a forward of son and utterly authentic. We will all your memo asking for memories of miss her. Elaine for the memorial service. I I have known and appreciated Elaine have a couple that might not readily As a student in my “History of Books for several years. As McGill's only be thought of. and Printing” course, I recall Elaine professor of Latin American history I worked with Elaine for quite a becoming so immersed in her semi- for many years, I was always frus- number of years. She had, in many nar presentation on the Grabhorn trated by the paucity of books from ways, the same zany sense of Brothers of California that she made Latin America in our collection. humour that I had; and very often, a special trip to New York to see the Awhile back, Elaine and I plotted when I was upset by something, NYPL exhibition on Grabhorn Press, together that I could buy history, came up with exactly the view that and persuaded the then Rare Book political science, sociology and would laugh it away. As a sort of Librarian – Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis – to anthropology books on my forays to footnote to that, we enjoyed playing increase substantially the Colgate Colombia, Chile, the Dominican at an act of two feet-on-the-ground Collections holdings of Grabhorn Republic and the library would reim- Jews surrounded by all these crazy books. As you might expect her pres- burse me for them. I took great Gentiles, and colleagues realized that entation was excellent and very pol- pleasure in searching bookstores in running commentaries by Elaine and ished! the capital cities for the best, most myself in a heavy Yiddish accent Elaine was the quintessential librari- cutting-edge books and lugging were ... just our way of having fun an in terms of her commitment to heavy suitcases back for the McGill watching something. service and the development of a library. As a result of Elaine's open- scholarly academic library. She was ness, her willingness to cut through The second is more grave. Elaine unfailingly polite and pleasant. Her the red-tape, and her concern for and I both lived many years under approach was always sane and intel- learning in all its guises (even if it the shadow of chronic illness; and ligent. created administrative hassles), we spent a lot of time quite seriously McGill's library is now a beacon for checking up on each other when Thank you again. Colombian and other Latin American some new might-be symptom graduate students in Montreal to appeared, and were great advocates Regards find the sources they need to write to each other of what I can always Peter their graduate theses. Last year the describe as, "If you're feeling off- son of the administrator of the Royal colour, GO HOME. The McLennan P. F. McNally Bank in Latin America in the 1940s will still be standing when you get Professor, School of Information and 1950s wanted to donate his back." Studies, McGill University father's books to our library. Elaine was the one person who most facili- I wouldn't want to have Elaine's tated this donation of a collection sense of humour, or her concern for I was shocked and saddened to learn with many rare books, worth more her colleagues, go forgotten. that Elaine has passed away. Over than $40,000 in all, which will stimu- Volume 4, Issue 1 With very best regards, zeal. Elaine hated compromise and would never willingly accept it. She Rather then saying good-bye then, I Martin Cohen epitomised the great generation of will continue that long-ago railway professionals who came on board in yarn with Elaine - a special friend the 1960s and from whom we all whose life has illuminated our own, ELAINE from Irena Murray learned in our own careers. She had and whose train has simply parted a profound and highly pitched ahead of time. She was a fiercely loyal friend - understanding of quality - in people implacable, upright and discreetly and in things - and it informed present - much like the heroines of everything she did. I am still in a state of disbelief about the novels by Barbara Pym or Ivy Elaine. It seems only a few months Compton-Burnett that she liked to With her grave, beautiful face, Elaine ago that she was visiting us in read. gave both dignity and elegance to London. I always admired her life that tested her in some very fun- courage and the grace with which In her reserve, music was the closest damental ways. She has marked us she handled her handicap. Perhaps she had to religion - it encompassed all by her bravery and her determi- you'd be kind enough to convey to beauty, emotion and transcendence, nation, but my memories of her will her daughters how very much I gave fulfillment, was rich with possi- take a more mundane form - her admired her, first as a colleague at bilities. She responded to it with all pride in the accomplishments of McGill and then as a friend. I appre- her soul and music suffused her life. Lauren and Karen, and her warm, ciated her fine intelligence, her The recordings she gave us as gifts affectionate and delicious New exquisite manners, and her sense of over the years are the most precious Year's Day gatherings in her home style and my appreciation and admi- I own, not only for their exquisite on Argyle, surrounded by friends. ration for her great qualities only quality but because of what and why grew with the years. She was a per- she chose. New memories have emerged this fect lady under all circumstances, week, of a period in which Elaine even when justly outraged over some She loved and understood theatre in and I used to have an "early bird" new stupidity on the part of the a visceral way and could be unfor- supper on Stanley Street together, library or university administration giving, but unerring, in her judge- just to catch up. I think we both (some committed by myself, I fear). ments of it. The last time she came to hated the concept (the "early bird" She was not only a consummate pro- London this past Summer, we meals smack of Florida and docile fessional and an expert librarian but walked out of the Royal Court retirements), but it was a way to be an exceptional person. I will miss Theatre in protest against an "insuf- together. Neither of us would admit her very much. ferable" play (as the great anglophile it though, so we treated it as if we Elaine described it), and into the were having a lemon sole in the old Eric Ormsby dusk of the ever beautiful Sloane Ritz! Prague, 24 December 2007 Square. Her legs were giving her trouble, but the passion for the dra- I will treasure one special memory matic truth remained undiminished. that united us in a caper the immedi- Tribute to Elaine, from Lenore The great excitements that we have acy and the lightness of which we Rapkin shared after my move to London - never duplicated, but that might as Derek Jacobi in Schiller's Don Carlos, well serve as a way of parting Elaine and I have been friends for Anne Marie Duffy in Shaw's Saint between two otherwise very serious over forty years (!), predating my Joan - will stay with me as memories people. It took place in Paris, in the involvement in the McGill Libraries inflected by Elaine's voice, by her mid-1980s, during one of my sabbati- but obviously not hers. When we acute reflections on what great the- cal stays there that coincided with a first became good friends Elaine was atre means. trip to Europe by Elaine and her fam- thinking of going back to school to ily. After a couple of wonderful days get a Masters (and/or Ph.D.) in In her work, as in everything else, in Paris, the Yaroskys were about to English lit because she had become she was a resolute perfectionist and leave for Tous and I went to wave fascinated with Doris Lessing’s writ- her contributions to the greater glory them good-bye at the railway station. ings and thought she would like to of McGill collections will in them- Elaine and I started an animated write a thesis on her—no doubt she selves be a memorial to her. She had book conversation and as the con- derived some satisfaction when Ms. an innate understanding of collec- ductor whistled for the final time, Lessing recently received the Nobel tions as the underpinning of univer- she said "why don't you just come Prize for Literature, but then, Elaine sity life and while the "Republic of along?" and I, without as much as a always had the sensitivity to recog- Letters" was her natural comfort toothbrush, jumped onto the parting nize extraordinary works of art, be zone, she learned each new subject train. In the event, we continued the they books, musical works, or liter- dealt her over the years with equal conversation for three more days! ary or musical performances. Volume 4, Issue 1 However, the project quickly took a let anyone help her with anything, stalwart “alumnae” who had back seat when she became a mum she took great pride in being able to returned on a part-time basis. and decided that a part-time job in manage on her own, especially after Imagine trying to re-introduce our the Map Room would be a better bal- losing her arm. I never make a salad policies and procedures to Elaine, a ance in her life than a return to aca- without thinking of her tossing a one-time head of the department! demia. Eventually Elaine went back salad when we would go to her Thankfully, budget restrictions were to her old love, the McLennan home for dinner—and she was not eventually lifted and she came on Reference desk—and anyone and amused if I asked to help—I don’t board full-time. Many good years of everyone who worked with her there know how she did it. And of course working together followed. knew that when Elaine fielded a ref- my husband was always blown away Over the holidays I was reading The erence question there were no limits when he would offer to open the Good Terrorist by Doris Lessing to the extremes she would go to find wine for her—no way, she was per- (1985). I was not entirely taken by it. the answer. She always told me it fectly capable. And she was, I felt the heroine was quite infantile was like solving a huge jigsaw puz- absolutely so capable. and should really grow up. I kept zle, putting all the little pieces wondering what Elaine, an early fan together until they formed a whole. My reminiscences of Elaine will go of Doris Lessing, would have She worked tirelessly, as she did on for many years to come and I will thought of it. By the end, I came to with everything she tackled, it had to share memories with her girls. But sympathize, a little, but not entirely, be absolutely perfect, indisputable, I’m not sure if they know, or if any- with the heroine. Unfortunately I before she could finally consider it one else knows that Elaine is the per- will not be able to hear Elaine’s done. son responsible for my having defence of the book. I will just have become a librarian. I was thinking of to grow up and figure it out myself. Our families spent many summers returning to school, not quite sure Perhaps I will try reading more of together at Cape Cod, wonderful for what would suit me best, but she Doris Lessing in memory of Elaine. the kids but not always so easy for assured me that this was the right Elaine who suffered a great deal thing for me. She encouraged me all Lu from the dampness. But she was through library school, promising me always fun, and my children have it would get better and that I would Lillian Rider such wonderful memories of her love working as a librarian. Thank from those days as well as from more you, Elaine. recent days, Christmas dinner at our While she had a passionate commit- house, other events, when Elaine Lenore Rapkin ment to her profession and to would sit on our sofa surrounded by McLennan Library, Elaine lived a full my three children, all of whom life outside the university, maintain- would be in fits of laughter most of Dear former colleagues, ing close relationships with her fami- the time, overcome by Elaine’s wit. ly and a persistent interest in singing. Not that she always meant to be I am unable to attend the celebration I knew Elaine from the library. funny, she was just so clever and for Elaine tomorrow as I am out of I first met Elaine Yarosky in 1984 insightful, you couldn’t help laugh- town but I did speak to Karen and when I joined the McLennan ing. Then there were her imperson- Lauren Yarosky tonight and am sure Reference Department as a young ations—she had an extraordinary ear that they appreciate the effort by librarian hired on contract. I worked for music, she had either perfect McGill. with her in the Reference and pitch, or near perfect pitch, so when By her example, Elaine influenced Collection Development she would mimic someone it was me to become a librarian and in turn Departments until 1998. Elaine’s dead on—I still smile when I think of my sister Joni Waiser who is still at intelligence, breadth of knowledge, certain people because I can still hear the Reference Dept. of the National calm practicality and wry wit made Elaine mimicking them. Library. her the perfect colleague. Elaine was a devoted and outstand- I recall a dreary spring day in the A few final comments—I don’t think ing professional. 1980’s when a new arrival came into I have ever known anyone who was the Reference Area. He carried a well as sensitive and as intelligent as I miss her. preserved suitcase, and looked as Elaine. And as sensitive and intelli- Jewel Lowenstein though he had come straight from an gent as she was, she would never, in international flight. Tired but tri- a million years, have believed that on umphant, his overcoat dripping with her death all these old friends and Needless to say, I was shocked and rain, he walked purposefully up to colleagues would get together to pay saddened to hear this afternoon of the desk where I was on duty. her this wonderful tribute. She was Elaine’s passing. Memories flooded I don’t remember the dialogue exact- also one of the more stubborn people back to the time in the Reference ly, but it centered on his urgent I have ever known, she would never Dept. when Elaine was one of our request for a book about amber that Volume 4, Issue 1 he was certain would be found in the Elaine stood up straight as a ramrod. Meanwhile my sincere condolences to library of a stellar institution such as “Could it be…,” she wondered aloud Elaine's family and to the McGill com- McGill University. The reference and moved quickly back to the desk munity. interview was complicated by his where the visitor was waiting, “… heavy East European accent. This was amber… was it…a very popular Bernie an important book, he informed me. novel…? Bernard F. Reilly Everyone had read this book. Even he “Yes, yes…” Our patron looked hope- President, Center for Research had read it in his country where so ful. Libraries many books were banned. Now he “Forever?” said Elaine. wanted to see the original English That was it – Forever Amber, by edition. Kathleen Winsor! New York, I feel so sorry hearing the news. Everything about his speech and MacMillan, 1944! CBI bore out the Please convey my message to her body language indicated that we details. family if possible. I never got the must have this book and that I must This mass market novel had been chance to meet her. May her soul rest satisfy him by giving it to him imme- banned in Massachusetts and was in peace. diately. No other resolution would be described to me by Elaine as, “You acceptable and clearly I was a fool if I know, like Peyton Place, not the sort Sanghamitra didn’t know what he was talking of thing we would have here.” Sanghamitra Jana ("Sanghamitra"), about. I hadn’t a clue. Elaine had nailed it. We heaved a col- the Librarian In-Charge of the Book Luckily, Elaine was on hand, cool as a lective sigh of relief and referred our Programme, New Delhi Office, cucumber. “Amber? How interesting. visitor to the public library. Shastri Institute. Is this a scientific work?” So went our days. They were filled The man turned red and blustered, with personalities and reference ques- “No, a novel! Surely you know it!” tions big and small. We were so busy A very sad and shocking news that Ah yes, and the author? His reply then that we rarely sat down or even Elaine is no more with us. was unintelligible. stopped for lunch. Times have Elaine engaged him in further conver- changed. Forever Amber was reissued I will be honoured if the Director of sation by showing great interest in the and reviewed by the Guardian and Libraries would include my thoughts book he was looking for. The only even become the subject of at least about our dear friend Elaine! thing she could get out of him was two dissertations on popular litera- that it was likely published sometime ture. She was a great colleague and won- in the nineteen fifties. He didn’t seem Now, such a question would be so derful Librarian to work with. to want to outline the contents in any much easier to answer. In fact, our way and seemed incensed that we visitor would have identified it on I have known her since my Graduate couldn’t identify it off the top of our Google and ordered his own copy days in Political Science when she heads. from Amazon for $5 without coming was a Reference Librarian. Always Remember that this was before the to the library at all, not to mention there to help students in search of days of the Internet in libraries and that he might have been happy to stay information. we had no access to an online catalog in Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, peo- or anything that would allow us to ple still line up to ask questions, either In my later life as a Bibliographer, search by keyword. We had to in person or online. A stellar role Elaine displayed understanding and regroup. We excused ourselves and model who witnessed librarianship courteousy to her colleagues. retired to the index stands along the both pre and post Internet, Elaine has Sherbrooke Street windows where the left us to ponder them. I will never forget her radiant smile printed volumes of the Cumulative which would cheer the most stressed. Book Index (CBI) were prominently Helen Anderson, Head Collection displayed. Bent over the heavy vol- Development at the University of I hope to join in honouring her umes, we whispered conspiratorially Rochester Library. Helen was a ref- Memory. as we flipped through the pages. We erence and collections librarian and had no author and no clear title, only Head Collections in HSSL at McGill. Even if may not be there in body my an increasingly overheated patron. When Helen left in 1998, Elaine took thoughts and soul will be there. We weren’t getting anywhere. over as Head Collections. I offer my deepest sympathy to the An important novel, published in the family. 1950’s with the word amber in the I am very sorry to hear of Elaine's Many thanks for informing about her title? A novel we ought to have in our death and regret that I did not get the passing. It is hard to accept that she academic collection, or face shame in opportunity to become more is gone. the eyes of an intelligent looking, if acquainted with her. I will convey this difficult East European visitor? information to others here at CRL. Syed Naseer Volume 4, Issue 1

YAROSKY-SANFT, Elaine. After a courageous battle on Saturday, December 22, 2007 in her seventy-second year. Beloved daughter of the late Auckie and the late Rae Sanft. Survived and mourned by her loving daughters Karen and Lauren (Kevin). Dear sister and sister-in-law of Arthur and Judy. Fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews Justin, Jordana (Amit), Meghan, Ryan and all of her wonderful friends. A special thank you to Suzie. Funeral service from Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon W. on Monday, December 24 at 11 a.m. Burial at the Congregation Shaare Zion Section, Eternal Gardens Cemetery, Beaconsfield. Shiva at her broth- er's home, Monday through Wednesday evenings, 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elaine's memory may be made to The Program for Multiple Myeloma and Related Diseases, Princess Margaret Hospital, 610 University Ave. Suite 5-207, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9.

Published in the Montreal Gazette from 12/23/2007 - 12/24/2007.

Elaine and collections colleagues at a breakfast to celebrate Sheila Farthing’s MLS, 2002.

The University flag is lowered in memory of Elaine, January 23, 2008