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This oral history interview was conducted with Pat Thibodeau on March 28 and March 29, 2017 by Joseph O'Connell.
Duration

• March 28, 2017 - 1:18:50
• March 29, 2017 - 1:12:43

At the time of the interviews, Thibodeau was preparing to retire from her position as Associate Dean for Library Services and Archives at Duke University Medical Center Library & Archives. The interviews, conducted over 2 days, cover the length of her career: the March 28 interview focuses on her time prior to coming to Duke, and the March 29 interview focuses on her time at Duke. The interviews include discussions of Thibodeau's life and career history, from her upbringing in rural New Hampshire; her undergraduate and graduate education; early experiences with the personal computer; working at Rhode Island College, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, and Mountain AHEC; as well as pursuing and accepting the Associate Director position at the Duke University Medical Center Library & Archives; her decision to earn an MBA; the conditions at the Duke University Medical Center Library & Archives upon her arrival; her efforts to reform the library; her career as Associate Dean; doing research and developing services; fellowship in informatics; the Duke University Medical Center Archives; working relationships; institutional changes during her career; and hiring young staff. In addition to narrating key events, Thibodeau describes the people who influenced her philosophy of librarianship, her career-long interest in learning and applying new technologies, and the challenges of administration during times of institutional restructuring. Digital files include interview metadata and transcript (PDF), interviews with stereo (WAV), consent form (PDF), photographs of Thibodeau and Medical Center Library Terrace (JPG), and TXT files.