On April 14, 2025, retired librarian Rhonda Rosen was awarded the status of “Librarian Emerita” of Loyola Marymount University by President Timothy Law Snyder, recognizing her excellence, dedication, and passion in librarianship, and her service to the University and wider community. Rhonda retired after 37 years in January 2025.
Rhonda was a cornerstone of the LMU community for almost four decades, serving in various significant roles within the William H. Hannon Library and, previously, the Von Der Ahe Library. Her journey at LMU began in the 1990s, where she quickly distinguished herself through her exceptional ability to build relationships and foster community engagement. Rhonda’s early contributions included serving as president of the LMU Faculty Social Club and playing a pivotal role in the promotion of the Women’s Studies program.
Throughout her tenure, Rhonda held numerous positions, including reference librarian, head of media and reserve services, head of access services, and programming and exhibitions librarian. Her vision and dedication consistently guided her to excellence, particularly in her role as media librarian. Rhonda’s specialized knowledge in media formats—from VHS to streaming services—enabled her to establish a vast and distinguished audiovisual collection that supported LMU’s evolving curriculum. In particular, her efforts ensured that LMU’s School of Film & Television had access to a responsive and dynamic film collection.
Rhonda’s innovative spirit was evident in her establishment of the library’s first electronic reserves system in 1999 and her role as LMU’s first copyright officer. She trained students to digitize course materials, introduced the first book drops on campus, and played a crucial role in planning for the new William H. Hannon Library. Her contributions also included developing the library’s first collection development policy for media and integrating online media into the collections, which allowed faculty to use video clips in the classroom for the first time.
In her later years at LMU, Rhonda joined the outreach team, where she expanded the Faculty Pub Night program and organized the Library Open House, drawing out the highest student attendance in the history of both programs. Her leadership in community outreach was further demonstrated through the creation of the Sunday Jewish Book and Discussion group, which over the past 17 years, has attracted hundreds of faculty, staff, students, and Los Angeles community members to discuss more than 100 books, films, and short stories.
“Faculty from all over campus know and admire Rhonda for her expertise as a film and media librarian,” said Kristine R. Brancolini, dean of the library. “Even before she moved to her new position in outreach and engagement, she was committed to public programming. She inaugurated the Sunday Jewish Book Group to celebrate the newly-launched Jewish studies minor at LMU, and it endures as our longest running program.”
Rhonda’s career is marked by her unwavering dedication to the library, LMU, and the broader community. Her guiding principle has always been the success of others, and her insightful questions and challenges have consistently pushed her colleagues to excel. Rhonda’s infectious energy and passion for collaboration have left a lasting impact on LMU, making her a deserving recipient of emeritus status.
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