Guyla B. Houston Science Fiction Collection
Story originally ran in Perspectives Fall 2002
Guyla Houston has devoted her entire professional librar y career to Oklahoma State University. She received her Masters of Library Science degree from Louisiana State University in June of 1963. The next month, she started work as an Assistant Acquisitions Librarian in Serials at the OSU Library. Edmon Low, the man for which the building is named, hired Houston. Twelve years later in 1975, she accepted her current position as Head of the Acquisitions Department.
A lot has changed since Houston
started at OSU. She has been most
impressed by the benefits of
automation. According to Houston, "It
has enabled us to be more productive
and provide more information for our
patrons. Things are more precise and
easier to access. It alleviates some of the
patrons' angst. Not all, of course, they
still have to read it."
July 5 was Houston's last day at the
Library. She has plenty planned to
keep her busy during retirement. "First
we’re going to visit our son and his
family in Augusta, Georgia. He is
stationed at Fort Gordon." When she returns, Houston has multiple research
projects planned. She'll be working on
four topics: nuclear submarines,
Lawrence of Arabia, World War II,
and the Flynn Collection Bibliography.
In addition, she and her husband are
planning to go back to Europe to visit
friends.
Houston
says the
greatest job
satisfaction
has come
from
working
with such
wonderful
people:
students,
staff and
other faculty.
Her
employees, obviously, feel the same way
about her. Houston’s entire department
nominated her for this year’s
Outstanding Librar y Employee
Award. The Award was presented to
Houston at the Spring Edmon Low
Library Staff Association meeting.
During her career, Houston has supervised over 200 student assistants and several dozen support staff. She said, “They are scattered all over the world now. I’m hoping that any former support staff or student worker still living in the area can come to the reception.” The Library is hosted a retirement reception on June 27 in the Peggy V. Helmerich Browsing Room.
Some Local Resources:
View the items in the Guyla B. Houston Science Fiction Collection
View items held in the OSU Libraries about science fiction
Contact
For more information on giving to the Library contact the Brandy Cox, Senior Director of Development, at bcox@OSUgiving.com or 405-385-0715.
