This message is to share the news of the retirement of Irene Berkey, Foreign and International Law Librarian, Pritzker Legal Research Center, Northwestern University School of Law, on August 15, 2012.
Irene joined the Law School in 1982 as the Foreign and International Law Librarian, following her experiences as a reference librarian at the University of Texas at Austin law library, from 1981-1982, and at the University of Michigan’s graduate library, where she worked from 1970 to 1977. She brought with her expertise in foreign languages, particularly French, Italian, German, and several other languages, ancient and modern.
At the law library, in addition to serving as the Foreign and International Law Librarian, Irene has served as acting head of public services three times, including tenure as acting associate director/head of public services from December 1993 to August 1996. She has served on committees within the law library, the law school, and the university library. She has received the university’s commendation for exceptional service. Her professional activities have included committee service for CALL and the AALL special interest section on foreign, comparative, and international law, as well as presentations to regional, national, and international library associations.
Irene has been a leader and mentor to many within the library and law school, as well as a great friend, holding herself and others to the highest standards of excellence in service to the law school community, tempered by a great sense of humor. Her departure, after 29 years of devoted service, will be a loss for us and will be greatly felt by many. She will be missed. She will be remaining in Chicago to enjoy her well-earned retirement. She has plans to take Northwestern University courses, an example of Irene’s intellectual curiosity as a lifelong learner.
Please join me in thanking Irene for her long service, her leadership, high standards, and dedication, and in wishing her a wonderful retirement.
Eloise M. Vondruska
Interim Director of the Pritzker Legal Research Center Northwestern University School of Law