Remembering Dr. Maria Chavez-Hernandez
Posted March 20th, 2008by Lisa Pierce
This afternoon I learned from Howard Rodriguez-Mori of Florida State University that Maria Chavez-Hernandez had passed away. I was scheduled to talk to her graduate students this evening about digital library services. I find it very hard to believe that she is not here and that I will not be talking with her this evening and in the days and months to come.
Dr. Chavez-Hernandez was one of the first librarians who agreed to become a board member for The Latino American Experience and I was incredibly indebted to her. She was generous, forthright, warm, kind, a perfect mentor. I remember meeting her for the first time at JCLC. She was immediately open and friendly. Eager to talk, laugh, eat, and to share her experience and enthusiasm for librarianship and Latino culture.
During the months leading up to the launch of the Latino American Experience in March 2007, I found myself depending on her often. When I would send out emails to the board marked “urgent” or “help,” I always knew Maria’s email would be the first in my inbox no matter how busy she was. And I knew her response would be thoughtful and detailed, that it would be strong and direct if she thought I was about to make a wrong turn, supportive and reassuring if I was on the right track.
I didn’t know her long but I felt like I had. I could speak to her candidly. She gave the best advice and the best hugs. Only now does it strike me as surprising that we became so close so fast. Work relationships are often conducted at an arm’s length. With Maria, this was never the case. I will miss her.
Her colleague, Howard Rodriguez-Mori, sent the following information earlier this afternoon:
Dr. Chavez-Hernandez was an active champion of library services and LIS education for minorities, and was recently honored by the Florida Library Association with an award bearing her name.
As posted in the College of Information website:
“The Florida Library Association (FLA) announced an award honoring Dr. Maria Chavez-Hernandez of the FSU College of Information last week (January 8). The “Maria Chavez-Hernandez Libraries Change Peoples Lives Award” will celebrate the “dynamic spirit of her work in expanding the opportunities of information access to under-served and immigrant populations” by recognizing librarians who have “made a demonstrably positive and big difference in the lives of Florida’s library users.”
Maria Chavez-Hernandez was a faculty member and administrator for Florida State University’s College of Information, where she earned her PhD. Prior to coming to the College of Information, she worked at Florida State University Strozier Library as an interlibrary loan unit head for nine years. During her tenure at Strozier Library, her unit was awarded the 1997 Davis Certificate award for quality service, process improvement, and streamlining workflow. Her teaching interests included collection management, organizational culture, and international information services. She also coordinated the school’s internship program. In 2007, The Florida Library Association created the Maria Chavez-Hernandez “Libraries Change Peoples’ Lives” Award in her honor to perpetuate the dynamic spirit of her work in expanding the opportunities of information access to underserved and immigrant populations.
