Margaret Mary Kimmel, ALSC President (1982-1983), died on June 10th at the age of 76.
Maggie Kimmel was a force of nature and she carried many students, colleagues and friends along in her wake. From her initial teaching as a part-time instructor at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., to a two year stint as a visiting professor at the College of Librarianship in Wales, her time at Simmons College in Boston and her long tenure as a full-time professor the University of Pittsburgh, Maggie influenced countless numbers of future librarians, authors and teachers. As an active member of the ALSC, she served on many committees and worked tirelessly to advance the profession and enhance children’s services at libraries all around the country. In recognition of her many contributions, Maggie received the ALSC Distinguished Service Award in 2001.
In addition to furthering the work of ALSC, her committee work also provided fodder for a wealth of entertaining anecdotes which she shared freely (and embellished occasionally) to great effect. Since retiring from the University of Pittsburgh, Maggie turned her energy toward efforts to improve services and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. She helped to create the Center for Women with Disabilities at Magee Women’s Hospital and served on the board of the FISA Foundation.
Ultimately, Maggie was much more than the sum of her incredibly impressive accomplishments, both personal and professional. Her warmth, wit and presence will be sorely missed–but wherever stories are told, books are cherished and good conversations flow, Maggie’s spirit will be present.
Donations in memory of Dr. Margaret Kimmel may be made to: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Development Office, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (for the distribution of children’s books to children and families in need) or toCanterbury Place, 310 Fisk Street Pittsburgh, PA 15201.
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/postgazette/obituary.aspx?n=margaret-mary-kimmel&pid=171350926&fhid=9810#sthash.y5SVJeAL.dpuf
Notes of condolence can be sent to her sister:
Cathy Kimmel
822 South Trenton Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
************************************************
Our guest blogger today is Lisa Dennis, Coordinator of Children’s Collections at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
If you’d like to write a guest post for the ALSC Blog, please contact Mary Voors, ALSC Blog manager, at alscblog@gmail.com.