COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO

Lorrita Ford, Director of Library and Learning Services at College of San Mateo retired on June 30, 2016.  Prior to her appointment as library director at CSM in 2002, Lorrita library worked as bibliographic instruction librarian and acting interim director at Diablo Valley College Library and as Senior Librarian at Oakland Public Library.

Lorrita served as a regional representative on the governing board of the Council of Chief Librarians, Chair of the Clearinghouse on Library Instruction, and Chair of the UC Berkeley School of Library and Information Studies Alumni Association. She also served as a mentor for the Association of Research Libraries’ Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce.

During her tenure at CSM she advocated for librarians and the library to become well integrated into the greater college community by becoming standing members of key institutional committees. She also fostered the introduction of dynamic public programming including Makerspace workshops and the Tool Lending Library.

Commentary:  It’s always been important to me that library staff be well integrated into the greater college community. It is crucial in order for us to figure out how we can be most effective in supporting the college’s overall mission and providing a good return on the personnel, resources, technology, and physical space invested in our purpose.

Among the things that have brought me the most satisfaction is supporting and mentoring new librarians. I’ve fostered an environment that promotes continuous learning, creativity, and collaboration across boundaries; everyone in the library, regardless of their job description, participated in problem solving.

It’s a good feeling to look back over the last fifteen years and see the all of good work that we have done. It’s nice to leave knowing that the Library is well respected in the field. I have confidence in the staff and know that they will continue to do great work in the future.