Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.
November 14, 2014Location: Valley Library, Oregon State University.
Janet Webster (b. 1953) served as the head of the Guin Library at Hatfield Marine Science Center from 1989 to her retirement in 2015. Active in regional and international professional organizations alike, Webster received numerous awards over the course of her career including, in 2003, Librarian of the Year from the Oregon Library Association. While at Guin, Webster oversaw library activities during a period of major technological change, and was instrumental in building an infrastructure suitable for serving Guin's very diverse user base on the Oregon coast. For several years, Webster also administered the work of OSU's other branch libraries, including the OSU-Cascades library in Bend. Her interview focuses on her upbringing, educational experiences and ultimate decision to pursue a career in libraries; her work and contacts at HMSC; and the changes that she has witnessed in coastal community life and within the library profession.