Jim didn't want a traditional retirement party. "Too many greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention unwanted calories," he said. So instead we are having a Virtual Retirement Party - carbon neutral and heart healthy!

To celebrate, Jim wants all his colleagues and associates to post a good wish, photo or a memory to this blog. You can even ask Jim a question. Jim will reply to every post! (Jim will be the only person able to comment on messages after they are posted).

And while you're at it, Jim hopes you will consider a donation in his honor to his favorite charity, our own Talking Book and Braille Services.

Please submit your message before Jim retires on December 30, 2011. Include your name at the end of your message.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Thanks for your support of citizen access to government information

Jim:

While many in the Oregon library community know you as a champion of public library services, I would like to sing praise for all you have done as an advocate for citizen access to government information.

You have always been a strong supporter of the State Library’s role in the assuring permanent public access to state government documents. You helped usher the Oregon Documents Depository Program into its second century through your support of efforts to update Oregon law. Now, preservation and improved access to state government information in all formats is not only a goal, but state law! With your help, Oregon citizens now have a legal basis for protecting their right to know about their government and their state’s history.

I also want to personally thank you for your support of the State Library’s renewed participation in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). When I came to you with the idea to take on a FDLP Regional designation and all the responsibilities that came with it, you could have easily dismissed such a crazy notion! Rather than shy away from responsibility, you supported our head first jump head into a new way of coordinating a Federal Regional Collection. I have appreciated your confidence in me and our partners as we have built this new model.

We now have almost 5 years under our belt and our model is admired throughout the country. What a nice legacy! It illustrates your enthusiasm and true commitment to the support of citizen access to government information. This is especially commendable because it comes at a time when many library directors are running away from these responsibilities.

Thank you for your leadership and support of improved access to government information … this citizen of Oregon is very thankful for all you have done!

Arlene Weible

Government Documents Librarian

Oregon State Library

1 comment:

  1. Jim ScheppkeNovember 13, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Thanks so much Arlene for these wonderful words. I feel I deserve very little of the credit. It's you and the other talented staff at OSL that made it all happen. I am very proud of our Oregon Documents Repository. I believe we were one of the first states to really tackle the "born digital" problem and we did it in an innovative way.

    Next year will be a turning point for that program with the new e-government platform and the decisions we need to make about a permanent documents archive. I have every expectation that you and Robert lead us through the changes with great success. I also look forward to the day when we can begin to digitize our legacy state documents collection. That day will come. Soon I hope!

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