MLA-Phil

A Hospital Librarian for over 20 years, and currently the Librarian at Frankford Hospital School of Nursing, Eileen Smith will retire August 14, 2007. She, and her wonderful husband, plan to spend most of their time at their new home in South Carolina.

Involved in hospital and nursing school librarianship since the early 1990s, Eileen worked for many years at Parkview Hospital and for the past five years, at Frankford’s Nursing School. Eileen earned her Master’s in Library Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and has held a number of leadership positions in DEVIC — the Delaware Valley Information Consortium. Eileen is a member of the Philadelphia Regional Chapter/MLA and the Special Libraries Association.

A few weeks ago, I talked with Eileen about her distinguished career:

On the rewards of being a medical librarian: I see medical residents and nursing students transform into doctors and nurses and it warms my heart to know that I played a part in that. It is extremely rewarding work.

On her DEVIC colleagues: Incredibly friendly, supportive people. I always got what I needed from this wonderful group of librarians. When I was [DEVIC] Coordinator, everyone worked with me. If it weren’t for DEVIC’s support and encouragement, I never would have gotten my library degree.

About her Frankford Hospital counterpart, Gary Christopher: I met Gary in the early 1990s at a DEVIC meeting at St. Agnes. Over the years, his support, friendship and encouragement have been invaluable.

About the Philadelphia Regional Chapter/MLA: It has been fabulous to meet academic medical librarians; to learn about their approach to library work and their intellectual pursuits. They have opened my eyes to a different way of doing things within a library setting.

Most difficult part about leaving Frankford School of Nursing: It’s the sense of grief I feel similar to when my kids graduated and left home…except it’s not them leaving, it’s me.

And one of her many, fond memories: When I was ill this past winter, I opened my front door and found a huge package with a large bow. It was a handmade card, signed by faculty and students at Frankford. It was made with posterboard and was eight pages! On these eight pages, were many messages filled with love. Each and every student at the school signed the card. One I remember said, ‘you gotta come back, I have a paper due in 2 weeks’!

All of us in the Philadelphia Regional Chapter/MLA and DEVIC wish Eileen a bon voyage and many happy years living the good life in South Carolina.