Pam Ryan, an interlibrary loan technician who brought the best rare books to Hillsdale for 39 years, is retiring in her adopted hometown.
“We’ve seen a lot of change on campus, and it’s change for the better,” Ryan said, referring to the buildings that have been demolished and the growth in student organizations and faculty. “This university truly is a second home to me, and I'm really happy to work here.”
Ryan is a native of Jonesville, Michigan and began working at Hillsdale College in 1984.
“My mom works at the library here, and she said if I wanted to work here, I could come pick up my application,” Ryan said. “So, that's what I did. I think I got hired the next day.”
Ryan worked in the university's mail center for 27 years before moving to the library in 2012. After working in the loan business for a year, he moved to his current role in charge of library interlibrary loan.
Ryan said he will be working at the antique booth at the Allen Antique Mall in Allen, Michigan. She also volunteers with the Hillsdale Humane Society and plans to continue working as a foster parent aid with Animal Branch County.
“Antiqueting and thrifting, that’s what I enjoy doing,” Ryan said. “But, you know, I love dogs and cats. And I thought, one day, I might volunteer at this humane society, too. Dogs and cats are my passion, so I help them.” I just love them.”
Ryan also wants to spend more time studying plants.
“My other hobby is planting flowers and plants around my house, so it would be great if I could do that,” Ryan said. “I just don’t want to retire and get old.”
The two are planning a trip after Ryan's husband retires.
“My husband and I would love to travel to Montana,” Ryan said. “I don't really like traveling abroad. But I would like to go to Hawaii someday and travel to the West. I like the West.”
Ryan's boss, Public Services Librarian Brenna Wade, oversees the library's lending as well as outreach and technology. She and Ryan work together to collect articles, books, and other library materials that need to be transferred from other libraries, as well as to ship things that other libraries need.
“Materials are constantly being moved and Ryan runs the day-to-day operations of that department,” Wade said. “We're very busy. We've had a lot of requests. We're moving a lot of supplies.”
Ryan said there are days when interlibrary loans are difficult.
“Sometimes no matter how hard you dig, you just can't find anything. I just put it on hold until the next day to clear my head,” Ryan said. “And I can come here and boom, find it. It's that easy.”
Wade said Ryan's role requires tracking every little detail about many materials and systems, and something can go wrong at any stage.
“It's not easy. I'm definitely going to miss her,” Wade said. “But I wish her all the best in her retirement. She totally deserves it. It's definitely going to be a big task for the next person.”
Ryan doesn't mind the job. She said it's hard to remember a favorite moment from her time at Mossy because she loves every moment of her job.
“The staff and librarians I work with are all amazing,” Ryan said. “I just take it day by day and enjoy every day.”
Ryan recalled some unforgettable paranormal experiences he experienced during Mossy's “Witching Hour.”
“The few times I’ve opened the library, I’ve been here by myself,” Ryan said. “In fact, you can hear chairs slamming here on the first floor.”
Ryan said he couldn't see the chair moving, but he heard the noise, and when he called out, “Who's there?” there was no answer. One morning, she was sitting at her desk working with the help of an emergency light, as the power had gone out due to a storm the night before. Through the open office door, I could hear chairs slamming in the darkness of the library.
“I looked out and said, ‘I’m not going to scare you this morning.’ So I got up and shut the door, and that was it,” Ryan said. “I don't believe in ghosts, but sometimes I want to.''
Mr Wade said Mr Ryan had helped Ms Mossey through the digital transition during the COVID-19 pandemic, system changes that required a complete overhaul of processes, and the acquisition of international materials through customs. He said he cooperated.
“She tolerates my ideas well,” Wade said with a laugh.
Carolyn Spangler, a sophomore library student worker who helps Ryan with interlibrary loan, said she has great respect for what Ryan does for the library.
“The number of carts in her office is incredible,” Spangler said. “It’s like a puzzle where there’s only one stage left and you have to move all the pieces into place.”
Spangler said she has enjoyed working with Ryan and is grateful for all the time he has dedicated to the library.
“She's very friendly and always willing to help,” Spangler said. “She will do her best to find information for someone.”
Ryan said there are days when interlibrary loans are difficult.
Colleen Ladd, a circulation technician at the library and a friend of Ryan's, said she sometimes helps Ryan with materials in the Michigan Digital Library Catalog and Resource Sharing System. Because their desks are close together, they spend a lot of time in each other's company, and Rudd said she will miss Ryan next year.
“It's going to be very tough because she's one of my best buddies here,” Ladd said. “Most of our staff are very close. And she's probably gotten a little closer just because we work so well together. So it's going to be a really tough change. But you can't blame her, it's time to move on.”
Spangler said she is glad Ryan will be able to take a break from the library's busy schedule.
“I'm glad she can now enjoy some alone time,” Spangler said. “It's amazing that she's been at the university this long.”
Ryan said he was sad to leave the Mossy Library community.
“Working in a library taught me how a library setting works,” Ryan said. “And the work that the staff and librarians do is amazing. We all work hard and we all work well together here. I love my job and will definitely miss it. .”
