Librarian Margaret Fast to Retire from Western

Margaret Fast will retire from Western Libraries on Oct. 1, after 22 years of service as a librarian at Western Washington University.

Margaret joined Western Libraries in 1996, and soon thereafter became assistant professor and also one of three new college-based librarian positions (Arts and Sciences). 

During her time at Western, she participated in a number of university service opportunities, including the Graduate Council, International Programs Advisory Committee, and Scholars Week. She has also served on the steering and organizing committees as the first Library Steward for the United Faculty of Western Washington University. 

In the Libraries, her service has included the Criteria for Tenure and Promotion Committee, the Faculty Personnel Committee, the Digital Assets Task Force, the Western Libraries Reading Series planning group, and the Undergraduate Research Award Committee.  In January 2016, Margaret was elected Chair of Faculty and has advanced numerous faculty issues, most notably revision of the Unit Evaluation Plan. 

Margaret’s librarianship includes teaching Library Strategies 201 (linked with several college courses) and the Research Paper Tutorial 302 (linked with East Asian Studies). She has served as adjunct professor in the East Asian Studies Program, and as the subject specialist and librarian for the Department of History, Modern and Classical Languages, Art and Design, as well for numerous other departments and programs.  Most recently, Margaret served as Acting Director of Heritage Resources during Elizabeth Joffrion’s professional leave.  

Margaret has also enjoyed an active research agenda, including her recent monograph, The Great War from the German Trenches:  A Sappers Memoir, 1914-1918.  She is a National Endowment for the Humanities grant recipient for “Muslim Journeys,” and a Sasakawa Fellow from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

“For more than two decades, Margaret has exemplified outstanding library service to Western faculty and students,” said Dean of Libraries Mark Greenberg. “As a subject librarian, her expertise and focus on meaningful and effective student research has made her a valued instructor for numerous courses across the curriculum.  I wish her a long and happy retirement.”

A retirement celebration for Margaret will be held on November 13, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Special Collections. For more information, please contact Connie.Mallison@wwu.edu.