Kevin Barry with Karin Trainer, University Librarian

Kevin Barry retired from Princeton University on September 1, 2007 and was awarded the title of Emeritus Librarian.  Throughout his twenty-nine years at the Firestone Library, Kevin fostered a climate of trust and collaboration in the Social Science Reference Center and then throughout Firestone as Acting Associate University Librarian for Instruction and Public Service.  His involvement in the profession continues.  Barry is currently Director of Ohrstrom Library at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, a private secondary school whose students often attend Princeton.  

Only the second librarian to be named Emeritus Librarian by Dean of Faculty, David Dobkin, Kevin took special pride in the growing popularity of instruction and outreach efforts in such venues as the freshman writing seminars and junior seminars.  He was instrumental in helping patrons enjoy real-time help while working online, was involved in development of the Library’s Web site; and championed the gradual move away from desk-based traditional reference to a more proactive approach. Among the exciting challenges he faced were an ongoing shift from print collections to a combination of print and digital and the renovation of reorganization of several public services spaces, including new electronic classrooms and data and statistical labs.

Kevin Barry with Bobray Bordelon, Economics & Finance Librarian

Kevin’s collection development experience and management responsibilities were long-standing and varied.  He was Industrial Relations Librarian most of his career at PUL and was principal bibliographer for the general social science and related reference collections.  At various times he served as selector for Sociology, Women’s Studies, Government Documents, Economics, Education, and Law and Legal Studies. He participated with Library Human Resources on a wide range of staff training, assessment, and development initiatives and was a devoted and effective supervisor and mentor.

The title of Emeritus Librarian may be bestowed upon librarians at the time of their retirement from the University after at least ten years of service. The title is conferred at the discretion of the University Librarian and with the approval of the Dean of the Faculty.  This title was first created in the January 2004 revision of the Rules and Procedures of the Professional Library Staff.