Alison Ricker, Former Science Librarian, Dies at 70</h1> <article> <h1>Alison Ricker, Former Science Librarian, Dies at 70</h1> <p>eburnett — Thu, 16 May 2024 15:18:49 +0000</p> <span>Alison Ricker, Former Science Librarian, Dies at 70</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-05-16T11:18:49-04:00" title="Thursday, May 16, 2024 - 11:18">Thu, 05/16/2024 - 11:18</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Alison Ricker, Head of the 91ֱ�� College Science Library since 1983, passed away May 14 after suffering a fall in her home over the weekend. She was 70.</p> <p>Ricker retired from 91ֱ�� in August 2023, completing a 40-year career in which she played a pivotal role in the Science Library’s transition from a primarily print-based collection to being an invaluable resource for online research. In 2001, she ushered it into its current space in the then-newly built Science Center.</p> <p>Also that year, Ricker was honored with the Academic Library Association of Ohio’s Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award. Her years at 91ֱ�� were marked by extensive involvement in academic initiatives, campus organizations, and social causes.</p> <p>A longtime member of Musical Union, Ricker took part in the conservatory’s January 2023 tour to New York City, singing in the chorus on 91ֱ�� alum R. Nathaniel Dett’s <em>The Ordering of Moses</em> at Carnegie Hall.</p> <p>Ricker was a graduate of Alma College and earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of Rhode Island. Before arriving in 91ֱ��, she was librarian at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography in Savannah, Georgia.</p> <p>“Alison was the consummate Science Librarian, steeped in her subjects, always mindful of student and faculty needs, innovative, and collegial,” says <a href="/node/365211">Valerie Hotchkiss</a>, Azariah S. Root Director of Libraries. “And she did it all flawlessly while also serving as a leader in several civic welfare organizations and devoting herself to her family. We have lost a remarkable human being.”</p> <p>Ricker is survived by her husband, Azariah S. Root Emeritus Director of Libraries Ray English, and their sons, John and Michael.</p> <p>A funeral will be held at Christ Church (Episcopal) 91ֱ�� at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 22. It will be followed by a secular celebration of life at First Church in 91ֱ�� (UCC).</p> <p>Read Ricker’s full obituary in the <em><a href="https://chroniclet.com/news/392795/alison-scott-ricker/">Chronicle-Telegram</a></em>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Forty-year employee led key library transitions, was active in numerous campus organizations.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-05-16T12:00:00Z">Thu, 05/16/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2412">Obituaries</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2582">Science Library</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3449">91ֱ�� College Libraries</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>No Need to be Quiet in this Library!</h1> <p>Anonymous — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:19:24 +0000</p> <span>No Need to be Quiet in this Library!</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2016-11-07T13:19:24-05:00" title="Monday, November 7, 2016 - 13:19">Mon, 11/07/2016 - 13:19</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><em>Nicholas Bassman plays an original composition on his 12-string guitar in the 91ֱ�� College science library on November 6. The library opened after hours to host the first ever Science Soirée, an event that encouraged instrumentalists and vocalists to perform musical pieces for acoustical effect. See the <a href="http://oberlincollegelibraries.tumblr.com/post/133017256876/shatter-the-silence-after-hours-in-the-science">91ֱ�� Colleges Libraries Tumblr</a> for more photos from the event.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2015-11-12T12:00:00Z">Thu, 11/12/2015 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2582">Science Library</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2546">Photo Feature</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yingran Zhang</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>