Edward R. Johnson Endowment

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Story originally published in February 2004

OSU Library Dean Retires

After nearly 17 years of dedicated service to both Oklahoma State University and the state of Oklahoma, Dr. Edward R. Johnson, Dean of Libraries, is retiring. His staff, as well as the Friends of the OSU Library, will honor Johnson at a reception on February 19.

The reception will be held in the Peggy V. Helmerich Browsing Room of the Edmon Low Library from 2 to 4 pm. A presentation, including a proclamation from the Mayor and a roast from friends, will be held at 2:30 pm.

Johnson accomplished much in his time at OSU. He is most proud of his founding of the Friends of the OSU Library, his work with the Oklahoma Library Association (OLA), including a term as president, and his time as the Oklahoma Chapter Councilor for the American Library Association (ALA), which he described as “very rewarding.”

One of his more recent accomplishments is also a career highlight. Working with OLA and ALA, Johnson led a small, vocal, and well organized national fight against UCITA (the Uniform Computer Information Technology Act.) This effort included the publication of his article “The Law Against Sharing Knowledge” in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Johnson believes, “Were it not for what we did in Oklahoma and the tremendous response from libraries, UCITA may not have been stopped nationally.”

Johnson and his wife Benita are retiring to New Mexico. If you ask him about his plans, he’ll respond, “Fishing, fishing, and fishing.” He also plans to take up a few winter sports, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing, and pursue his lifelong interest in the Southwest.

The Johnsons have established a library endowment to support the purchase of materials for Library and Information Science. In lieu of gifts, friends may make donations to the Edward R. Johnson Endowment by contacting Library Development at (405) 744-6323 or 216 Library, Stillwater, OK 74078-1071.

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Some Local Resources:

Edward R. Johnson, 2003 Edna Mae Phelps Award Winner

Oklahoma Library Legend: Edward R. Johnson

View items from the Edward R. Johnson Endowment

View items held in the OSU Libraries about Library Science

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