By Kirsten Williams, Staff Writer

After 13 years as VLS’s Access Services & Interlibrary Loan Librarian, Michele LaRose announced her retirement in January. Her retirement concludes the final chapter of an impressive 37-year-long career working as a law librarian at various institutions.

LaRose managed the daily administration of the Access Services/Circulation Department at the Julien and Virginia Cornell Library at Vermont Law School, including the reserve and course reserve collections. Additionally, she oversaw borrowing requests for VLS students and the interlibrary loan system. She also trained and managed the library’s student employees.

LaRose was frequently the first point of contact for students with questions about research or the library or life at VLS in general. Her presence in the library will be severely missed: several students commented they will most miss her sunshiney greetings early in the morning and her warm farewells after a long evening of studying.

“The Vermont Law School community will most surely miss her dedicated service and her cheerful greetings from the front desk to all who enter the library,” said Library Director Jane Woldow. “Michele’s contributions are far too many to enumerate but we wish her all the best, in spending more time with her family and pursuing her hobbies.”

In a school wide email, LaRose noted that her retirement will allow her to focus on “topics that are dear to me–social justice issues and the protection of voting rights.”   

Above all else, LaRose enjoyed working with VLS students. “My public services position afforded me the good fortune to work with so many wonderful and hardworking students,” she said. “I will be forever grateful for your support and recognition.” She said working with VLS students “inspired and soothed” her.

LaRose plans to spend her retirement “embracing a less complicated life” with her loving husband, Robert.