by Evelyn Campbell
Terry Long with library staff
On February
1, 2019, after almost forty years at the Virginia State Law Library, Terry Long
shelved the last law book and answered the last reference question, said
“adieu” to law librarianship, and “yes” to retirement.
Terry joined
the Virginia State Law Library in July, 1980 … moving from the State Library
& Archives. She didn’t have to move far – the two libraries shared the same
building on Broad Street.
The following year the State Law Library moved to its
current location on 9th and Franklin Streets.
That job
with the State Law Library gave Terry the “push” to go to library school.
“Having an MLS was not a requirement of the job, but one of the best things I
ever did was to get that library science degree. It opened up the boarder side
of librarianship and it gave me a confidence that I would not have had
otherwise.”
It was an
exciting time for Terry. She was there in the beginning when informal
gatherings of downtown law librarians grew into the Richmond Area Law Libraries
Association (RALLA) in 1981. RALLA eventually morphed into the Virginia
Association of Law Libraries and became a chapter of the American Association
of Law Libraries in 1988.
Terry's advice to VALL members, is “Volunteer ... volunteer … volunteer.
Stretch your wings and stretch your mind.”
Terry has
served VALL tirelessly for decades in its many committees, programs, and as
president from 1995 – 1996, and lately as VALL liaison to the Virginia Library
Association. Many VALL members who are fortunate to count Terry as a mentor,
colleague and friend, will miss her but are happy that she will be moving on to
new adventures.
No one who
knows Terry will doubt that she will embrace her new life. “I’m going to see
the world – at least try to see as much of it as possible!” Terry
said as she plans her many travels. In June she will be heading to Italy – to
Vinci in Tuscany, home of Leonardo da Vinci. And when she gets home to Richmond
she will barely have time to unpack her bags before she will be off to Hilton
Head.
When she is
not traveling Terry volunteers with the Junior League and also at her church
where she wears many hats.
Happy
retirement Terry!
Terry chatting with court staff
Terry's mother, Mildred Long, at the open house
Photos courtesy of Gail Warren.
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