Spotlight: Cathy Fennell

After 40 years at Rosemont, Cathy Fennell retired in spring 2021! Sr. Mary Dennis Lynch hired her in 1977 after she completed her undergraduate degree in Education, with a concentration in School Librarianship. From Circulation Coordinator to Systems and Reference Librarian to Director of Library Services, Cathy has dedicated her career to Rosemont College and “her priority has remained the same: to create a warm and supportive environment for students to thrive in their academic journeys.” **

As a long-time and active TCLC member, Cathy has held many roles. To name just a few, she served as Chair of the Bylaws Committee, TCLC President, and resident quilter who contributed a t-shirt quilt with all the member institutions represented for the 50^th Anniversary Gala in 2017. Not to be outdone by her quilt, Cathy Fennell won the Spirit of Cooperation Award at the 2017 gala as well.

Tell us about you and your role at Rosemont.

I started as a Circulation Coordinator. It was a great opportunity for me as not only did I learn about Circulation but learned how to do most of everything at the library. [For the last ten years as Executive Director of Library Services], I oversee the overall planning, management, and operation of the Gertrude Kistler Memorial Library which includes the College and President’s archives. I also work collaboratively with Sr. Roseanne McDougall at the Society of the Holy Child Jesus Archives. Just like when I started at Rosemont, I do a little of everything but mostly oversee a wonderful library staff who are dedicated to assisting our students to achieve their best.

What are some of your retirement plans?

I’m looking forward to spending time with my family – in particular my two grandchildren, Billy and Caylee – as well as endeavoring to become a quilt historian as well as a better quilter. I have not given up on libraries, as I do work at a small library a few hours a week, just as I told Sr. Dennis many years ago, to keep my foot in the door and see how librarianship continues to develop in the future.”

How has TCLC played a part in your career?

TCLC has always played a role in my growth as a librarian. When I first started at Rosemont in 1977, Sr. Dennis encouraged all her staff to take an active part in any of the interest groups so I was involved with the TCLC Film Library group. Originally, TCLC had a collection of 35mm films that were housed at West Chester University and the TCLC group would meet to select films, send them as requested, etc. I became involved because I had thought I would get my Masters in Media Services at West Chester but that did not happen. It still gave me a true respect for TCLC and why it had been founded. When I returned to Rosemont, I again became active in TCLC as I believed in its mission and worked often on the TCLC Union List of Serials. When I became Library Director, I felt very strongly that at some point I would serve on the Executive Committee and run for president when the time was right. I strongly feel that every Library Director in TCLC should consider serving in that capacity as TCLC is their organization. It was built to support their libraries and staff and each director should take on the responsibility of seeing that TCLC continue to serve and offer services to all members.

**Profile materials include information and quotes from Rosemont Magazine’s Spring 2021 Issue