Obituaries I


Rowena Macrae-Gibson


T is with deep sadness that we announce the death on 6 October of our dear colleague and friend, Rowena Macrae-Gibson, Head of Library Academic Services at Brunel University London. The Information Literacy Group (ILG) and Lilac committees have been sharing memories of Rowena and it is clear what a big influence she had on so many.


Jane Secker, Chair of ILG said: “I’ve known Rowena since she came to work at LSE in 2003 and I shall miss her for her good advice, her sense of humour and her dedication to her work and information literacy. It is hard to believe such a vibrant person has gone so soon.” Rowena was a significant thinker and leader in the discipline of academic librarianship, influencing information and digital skills literacy plans across


Brunel University London and nationally. She was responsible for guiding the work of the team of liaison librarians at Brunel, suc- cessfully embedding them in academic colleges. She also designed and implemented the Libsmart scheme, Brunel’s digital and infor- mation literacy programme, which has had a positive impact on thousands of students. Rowena was active in CILIP and was Deputy Chair of the ILG, co-authoring its forthcoming new definition for information literacy (IL). Rowena had previously been both Membership Secretary and Secretary of the CILIP IL Group and was a past president of the CILIP Career Development Group. She gained her professional qualification in librarianship from Loughborough University, and worked previously at LSE and the University of Exeter and held positions as Research Librari- an and Head of Information Literacy at City University Library. Rowena published numerous papers and articles and as an active member of many professional organisations and groups, she initiated educational and research programs which drew together information professionals and researchers from across the HE sector. Rowena was a passionate advocate for advancing, promoting and delivering the vital role of the library and its ser- vices. She championed the significance of the library’s role in Brunel’s success in both teaching and research. The Subject Liaison Librarian team at Brunel said: “Rowena was the most supportive, caring, compassionate manager that the Academic Services team has had the privilege to work for. She was nurturing in her approach to her staff and supportive of training and development needs. She was passionate about information and digital literacy seeing it as part of citizenship and a human right. We will remember her in our ongoing work and miss her greatly.” Monique Ritchie, Scholarly Communication and Rights Manager, Brunel, said: “Rowena was incredibly supportive and encouraging. She always gave positive and constructive feedback or advice, helping you to find a way through whatever issue you were deal- ing with. She did so in a way that seemed effortless, but takes


December-January 2017/18


real skill and generosity of spirit. It set a shining example to those of us lucky enough to have worked with her closely.” Ola Awoniyi, Information Resources and Infrastructure Manager, Brunel, reflects: “Rowena was an exemplar of professionalism and expertise in library and information management, especially academic engagement, information literacy and collection development, delivering services and providing support with wisdom, wit and empathy.” Elaine Sykes, ILG Treasurer said: “Her passion for IL, acting as a champion for it as a basic human right was heartening in a world of ‘fake news’. The sheer quality of her work, even amidst the challenges of ill health, was inspirational.” Emma Coonan, editor of the Journal of Information Literacy said “It’s almost impossible to take in that such a vivid person is no longer here, and that her incisive intellect has gone from us. Yet Rowena made such a deep impression on everyone she met that she will not be forgotten.” Laura Woods, ILG Secretary, said: “Rowena was the first per- son to welcome me to the committee. I valued her advice, insight and compassion. Rowena was fiercely intelligent, passionate and dedicated to campaigning for libraries and for information literacy.” Maria Bell, a former colleague from LSE said: “Rowena was passionate – about information literacy, libraries, learning. Pas- sionate about opera (more Wagner than Puccini), ballet, cricket, BBC Radio 4, Leonard Cohen (travelling to Europe to see him), Dr Who (more classic than new) and politics. She faced her illness with the same fire and commitment to get through it.” The news of her passing has seen so many of those she inspired come together to share memories of a wonderful woman. She was a wise and kind colleague and a valued friend who only ever saw the good in people. She had a creative solution for every problem and was always willing to help anyone with anything. It was a privilege to work with her. She had so many ambitious plans and vision for the advancement of the information services, but sadly, not enough time. Rowena will be remembered for her sense of humour and interactions with people. Despite illness and pain she remained dignified, cheerful and determined to the end. We will miss her greatly personally, professionally and institutionally. We extend our deepest sympathy to Rowena’s husband, Mark, and to her family. In line with the family’s wishes, Rowena’s funeral was a private one (just close family). Donations can be made in memory of Rowena to Mount Vernon Hospital and Michael Sobell Hospice.


Jane Secker, ILG, with contributions from former colleagues and from the Brunel University Library team: Margaret Weaver (Head of Library Services), Ola Awoniyi, Monique Ritchie, Shazia Arif, Claire Mazer, Martin Hodgson, Joanne Mcphie, James Langridge, Sam Piker, Alice Cann and Kanwal Virdee


PEOPLE


INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 55


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