Gary Golden retired on June 30 after 30 years with Rutgers University Libraries.
On June 30, Gary Golden retired from his long-time position as director of Paul Robeson Library. His colleagues at Rutgers University-Camden held a retirement party earlier in June and assembled these photos to document some highlights from his time with Rutgers. I hope you enjoy the photo slide show.
Here is the text Krisellen circulated earlier this year because it is a story that bears repeating.
Gary started working at Rutgers in June of 1986, shepherding the Camden Library through many transitions—new technology; new building; a new name as the Paul Robeson Library; and, most recently, a $3 million dollar, four-year renovation that completed in 2015. Throughout these changes, Gary has maintained a steadfast eye on the student user experience, made smart financial and technological decisions, and created links to the Camden community.
Starting in 1986, Gary strived to create a safe, comfortable, and functional space for students to study and research. Between an addition in 1995 and, more recently, the 2015 renovation, he has successfully met the demands of the students at Rutgers University—Camden. Gary tells me nearly every square foot of public and 80% of work space has been renovated during his tenure, and I believe it. You can see the results for yourself if you visit: the libraries look great, the furniture is comfortable, the computer labs are top notch. Because of Gary’s efforts, the Paul Robeson Library is truly a 21st-century institution that Rutgers University can be proud to call its own.
Under Gary’s guidance, the Paul Robeson Library has invested wisely in exciting partnerships like the ongoing one with Camden County Library and Rowan University that not only expand the service of the library, but have also yielded good financial results—money that that has been invested back into the Library to continue to improve and expand services. His efforts have kept the Library on the cutting edge of technology—from introducing the first computer labs of the late 1980s and phasing out the paper card catalog in 1992 to bringing wireless access to all areas of the library in 2000 and, just last year, creating a 10,000 square foot OIT computer lab.
Additionally, Gary has forged important connections with Rutgers University–Camden and the greater Camden community. He and his colleagues have collected toys and donations for the Camden Rescue Mission, organized conferences and events that span town and gown, and created Camdenbase, an online database of citations to newspapers and periodicals about Rutgers Camden and Camden City.
As if these accomplishments were not enough, Gary is also a wonderful colleague—smart, thoughtful, kind, and creative.We wish him all the best in this next chapter.
