Anne Clyde

Vale

Dr. L. Anne Clyde

(1946-2005)

Cattle die, kindred die,
Every man is mortal:
But the good name never dies
Of one who has done well.
(English translation by W. H. Auden and P. B. Taylor)

 

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From Lyn Hay (Australia) via IASL-LINK

This message also echoes the feelings of grief and loss at the news of Anne Clyde's sudden death. I was on leave and offline last week, so only came to know of Anne's passing 3 days ago and it has taken me this long to process it and feel comfortable with sharing my thoughts publicly.

I think the first time I ever saw Anne's name, was when I was studying in the early 80s to become a teacher librarian, and she wrote a short article on censorship and selection of school library resources. By the mid-80s I began my career as a practising TL, regularly reading the 'wise words' of Anne Clyde in Australian journals such as Access and Orana. As we moved into the age of computer technology, particularly library automation by the late 80s and CD*ROMs and the Internet in the early 90s, Anne's ideas and observations were regularly featured in journals and at conferences.

I first 'met' Anne in 1995, and as stated by many others this past week, our first 'meeting' was online when CSU started the Australian listserv, OZTL_NET - Anne was one of our foundation members (no surprise!). Our online relationship continued to develop with Anne agreeing to participate in CSU's first virtual conferences in 1996 and 1997... again, no surprise that Anne would contribute papers for both of these from Iceland. I finally met Anne face-to-face for the first time at the IASL Conference in Vancouver in July 1997.

But it wasn't until the end of 1999 that I started to work closely with Anne. For the next four years Kylie Hanson and I worked as the IASL Newsletter Editorial Team and for some newsletter issues Anne became our major source of content (again, no surprise!) We also agreed to share newsletter and IASL website in an attempt to 'pool' our resources, and no matter where in the world Anne was residing at the time, no matter what time of the day or night, our dialogue and collaboration continued seamlessly.

Anne's constant online presence as well as her significant contributions of time, energy, passion and intellect for projects whether publishing, research, conferences, consultancies, professional leadership in associations, and professional support of individuals and groups around the world has always amazed me. I have the deepest respect for Anne as an 'early-adopter' of technologies, as a critical and creative thinker, prolific researcher and writer... as a scholar, mentor and friend.

I will treasure the times we shared drinking scotch or red wine after attending a day of IASL or IFLA conference presentations, or after IASL Leadership meetings. The conversation always being a wonderful mix of observations of the profession, university life, new IT gadgets and travel, all peppered with her wit and humour.

Thank you Anne for your contribution to school librarianship worldwide... the posts to IASL-LINK this past week certainly highlight the many and unique ways that you have touched our lives. You will continue to be with us as our profession grows, evolves and achieves. Tonight at 9 PM (Aust EST which is Iceland 11AM) I will raise my glass of single malt Glenlivet Scotch whiskey in your memory.

From Barbara Combes (Australia) in an email to Peter Genco

We had a wonderful 6 weeks with Anne - our conference this weekend is one of the results of her visit. We have decided to dedicate the schools lecture to Anne - this will be an annual conference about teaching, learning and libraries. The first keynote will be presented by a representative from the schools sector. This year we have Dr Steffan Silcox, a very forward thinking Principal from a Community College that includes a Middle school and a senior college campus catering for students from 12 – 18 years of age. He is a strong advocate of school libraries and TLs – a perfect choice for the inaugural Anne Clyde Memorial Lecture.

From Rose Dotten (Canada) via IASL-LINK

It has been very difficult to find words to convey my sadness at Anne's passing. Indeed, the many, many wonderful recollections, memories and tributes that so many of you have posted made it almost more difficult. I did not know her well having just met her once but her sense of humour, her wit and her dedication struck me even then. TALCO - the Ontario Library Consultants asked me to also convey their respect for all the work she has contributed to School Librarianship. The wonderful photo of Anne really is a treasure. That joie de vivre that is so evident in the photo, is a good way to remember her.

From Marjorie Lobban (Australia) via IASL-LINK

Since Anne's death I have come to realise just what an important presence she was in my life.

Firstly, she was a colleague who was the driving force in our joint project of maintaining a database of fiction for young readers, which took homosexuality as a theme. Anne was a meticulous keeper of our records, a prodigious reader and incisive annotator, and a dogged finder of new resources. Her energy and enthusiasm for the task seemed boundless. Yet I know it was only one of dozens of projects she was involved in, or leading. In some ways it was a 'fun' project for her, yet it was one she believed in passionately. Anne was a generous collaborator. Even when her contribution was much greater than mine, we always received equal billing. She didn't like writing introductions or conclusions, so in several articles we wrote, I did an opening paragraph and a neat conclusion, Anne wrote everything in between, and we were co-authors! It seemed an arrangement very much in my favour, but that was typical of Anne's generosity of spirit and intellect.

In the process of our long collaboration Anne became a friend. My husband and I visited her in Iceland in 2003, and fell in love with the wild scenery. I have never ceased to be amazed at what an improbable country it is, and Anne fed my fascination with numerous clippings. On her last trip to Sydney we roamed the streets here, as Anne ensured she logged up at least 10,000 steps each day on her pedometer. When she wanted to walk after dinner one night and I protested that it was too dark, she fixed me with a look and said, "If I didn't walk in the dark, how do you think I'd get my 10,000 steps in Reykjavik?" So of course off we went, talking all the way. I love the way Anne lived her life the way she wanted to - without domestic impediments, working all hours of the night, and maintaining friendships with people around the globe. As so many of us know she was an extraordinary communicator, and mail from Anne was always amusing, stimulating and quirky. I will miss it, and her, so much.

From Constanza Mekis (Chile) via IASL-LINK

"There are blows in life, so hard...I just don't know!" (César Vallejo)

I've been deeply moved by the death of Anne Clyde, someone for whom I had great esteem. She always had a kind and friendly word for me. I usually received her mails, in which she told about her activities and also found the time to answer my personal concerns and questions. She helped us so much!

I would like to be with her right now, and give her some roses, put her head gently on a pillow... and sing to her with sweet flutes and loving butterflies. A sincere tribute for an admirable woman and professional.

From Mr. Luk Hok Hei, Livesey, Chairman of the Hong Kong Teacher-Librarians' Association

On behalf of the Hong Kong Teacher-Librarians' Association (HKTLA) I wish to extend our expression of sorrow on the sudden passing of Dr Anne Clyde. We remember that Dr Anne Clyde had presented her work all over the world. In July 2005, she had come in front of all school librarians and do present us her ideas at the IASL 2005 Conference in Hong Kong. Though she had passed away, her efforts have not ended. May god bless her forever.

From Jane Klobas and Patricia Layzell Ward in an email to Peter Genco

We have just returned from Reykjavík. With the support of her colleagues at the University of Iceland, Anne had a memorable funeral service at which the Minister spoke of it being the first he had conducted in cyberspace. Anne had a strong faith and a great love of choral music - the choir sang superbly. Several hundred people gathered to celebrate her life. Her wish to have her ashes scattered in the country where she died was followed - at the site of the first Icelandic Parliament which sits at the divide of the American and European tectonic plates - and it was followed by a good single malt whisky and the finest chocolates...

We worked with Ösp, her assistant, to check through her many documents to ensure that they would be preserved and that papers she had prepared for forthcoming publication and conferences would arrive at their intended destinations. It is likely that her book on Wikis will be completed. Her large working collection of books has been donated to the University Library. She was a close personal friend and colleague from the time she arrived in Perth, and lively conversations took place in different parts of the world accompanied by a good red Australian wine. The end came suddenly as we feel she would have wanted.

From Agnes Manlangit (Philippines) via IASL-LINK

I join the IASL community in feeling a sense of great loss and sadness over Anne's sudden demise. It was my first time to join IASL and attend the conference in Hong Kong and that's where I first saw her as she was introduced to the body! I was in awe to see in person, the IASL Webmaster! She will be terribly missed by all of us. She continues to be in my prayers...

From Barbara Combes (Australia) via IASL-LINK

We conducted our inaugural Transforming Information and Learning Conference over the weekend. We have dedicated the first keynote to Anne to commemorate her work and passion for school libraries. The first keynote will always be from a schools representative and the inaugural speaker; Dr Steffan Silcox (Principal, Ballajura College, Western Australia) gave a stirring speech, full of passion, imagination and support for libraries and TLs in schools. Anne would have been delighted with his lecture and the response generated by the audience. He made us think, laugh and above all challenged TLs to move forward, be change-willing and respond to new developments in education, information and technology. Our thanks to Dr Silcox for making The Anne Clyde Memorial lecture at TILC so memorable.

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Last updated 26 September 2005 (OV)