Metadata Specialist Nina Benson
Nina Benson, metadata specialist in West Virginia University Library’s Knowledge Access and Resource Management (KARM) department, retires June 30, 2025, after more than 40 years of service.
Nina Benson, Metadata Specialist, Knowledge Access and Resource Management (KARM), WVU Libraries.
Nina started her career with WVU Libraries typing book cards and processing books as a library clerk in 1985 and has held numerous roles since, proofing and filing catalog cards, entering digital records and cataloging old book collections. For 22 years of her tenure, she worked in the periodicals department, checking issues in, claiming missing issues and processing binders. In 2016, Nina became part of the newly formed KARM department and returned to her first love—cataloging.
“I've always joked with Nina about going into an engineering career because of her genius methods for keeping the maps from rolling out of the book carts, which is just one example of her quiet brilliance,” said WVU Libraries’ Head of Metadata Services, Emily Fidelman. “We will miss her desperately.”
Through several digital system transitions, Nina set up records and check-in systems, as well as managed large-scale moves to the Libraries Depository, which often took several years at a time. Throughout her service, Nina has assisted in integration of the Forestry library into the Evansdale Library, helped the Potomac State Mary F. Shipper Library and WVU Institute of Technology Library with cataloging their collections, supported projects at the Libraries Depository and played a major role in completing barcoding for periodicals in the Evansdale and Downtown Libraries.
Resource Sharing Specialist Judi McCracken
Judi McCracken, resource sharing specialist in WVU Libraries’ Access Services and Resource Sharing department, retires June 30, 2025, after 36 years of service to WVU Libraries.
Judi McCracken, Resource Sharing Specialist, Access Services and Resource Sharing, WVU Libraries.
Judi began her career at WVU Libraries in a reference position, when Libraries used the card catalog, searched through the stacks with a dumbwaiter and notified library users by telephone or postcard when their materials were ready to be picked up. While her position has evolved and transformed, Judi has brought the same passion and dedication to WVU Libraries through it all.
Her impact can be seen as accolades given to the department previously known as Interlibrary Loan department for providing significant research support for several researchers, as well as policies created from the interlibrary loan committee she served on. Those policies include fines for late materials and limitations on the number of items requested per semester, which led to better working relations with other libraries and cost savings.
“Judi has been a foundation for Interlibrary Loan services at WVU Libraries for decades. When I was a student ILL worker in 2000, Judi taught me many things about the trade,” said WVU Libraries’ Resource Sharing Manager Kyla Lucas. “Thus, my interest in resource sharing deepened throughout my years working with her. By serving our community in multiple aspects, she has been a hard-working delight. Her skills in the art of fulfilling requests for patrons are extensive and invaluable. WVU Libraries has positively benefited from her knowledge and her dedication, and she will be greatly missed.”
Over her career, she dedicated herself to numerous committees, including Staff Council for two years.
“The best accomplishments I can name are the friendships I have developed, and the relationships formed with others through the years at WVU,” said Judi. “I have cherished memories of my career at WVU Libraries, and I hope I have created pleasant memories for others.”
Lead Administrator of WVU Institute of Technology Library Mary Strife
Mary Strife, lead administrator of WVU Institute of Technology Library, retires June 30, 2025, after almost 30 years of service.
Mary Strife, Lead Administrator, WVU Institute of Technology Library.
Whether for NASA, academic universities or technology centers, Mary was a librarian. From New York to Connecticut to West Virginia, she held numerous librarian positions, providing reference and information services in the technology, engineering and science spaces. She settled in Morgantown and began her time at WVU Libraries in 1995 as Head Coordinator of the then-called Physical Sciences & Mathematics Libraries.
During her career at WVU Libraries, Mary held several leadership positions. Under her direction, the Libraries successfully underwent two renovations at the Evansdale Library, developed designated spaces for physics, chemistry, geology and biology journals and transitioned and moved the entirety of the Tech library to Beckley, West Virginia. She co-designed an in-person, out of class experience (OCE) for Engineering 101 classes for engineering students, reaching 20 sections a semester. Mary also led the charge for offering online ULIB 101 sections for WVU Tech students and has taught ULIB courses throughout her time at WVU Libraries.
Mary had a talent for publishing and presenting at conferences. Through the Engineering Library Division of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), she participated in many panels and presentations and served on numerous committees throughout her career. Mary has also published extensively.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working for, and with, Mary since 2001. Slowly but surely over the years, Mary transformed Evansdale Library from the décor of the 1970s to a clean, modern and spacious environment for the 21st century,” said WVU Libraries’ Collections Strategist Librarian Beth Royall. “Whenever Mary championed changes, you knew they were for the benefit of students, whether that was the collection, furniture, library hours, technology or service locations. Students have been at the heart of all Mary’s work.”
Mary will retire from WVU as university librarian, emerita.