Catching up with: Martie Grof-Iannelli

September 23, 2026

Catching up with is a new profile series from Librarianship.ca to feature members of the community who have retired. If you are interested in being featured in this, or other Librarianship.ca profile series, contact us at info@librarianship.ca

You may remember me from…

I was a librarian of the University of Western Ontario School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) / Faculty of Information & Media Studies (FIMS) library, and its collection from August 1979 to December 2001. Collecting materials for the library was a wonderful experience however, students may have known me for the courses that I taught: Classification, Conservation and Preservation, Information Resources for Business and Industry, and my all-time favourite – Dialog.

The Faculty on the move: The most difficult and critical task was to weed the collection of over twenty thousand books, on the floor, in storage, in the archives and the special collections. This was mandated by the powers on high, and was both emotionally and physically difficult. I felt it was like Sophie’s Choice — who was I going to save? Daily between teaching, I would frequently work until ten p.m. But the job got done. The downside is that I was approached my times by students who had graduated and told that, “You destroyed our library.” Every librarian has to face similar unpleasant tasks but must do so without criticism and without failure.

The term “go shelf yourself” was related to an Classification exercise in Cutter numbers where the class had to Cutter their own name and then join the rest of the class in shelving themselves in order. The late Jean Sutcliffe was teaching in the class beside us and came out to say that, “I knew you were teaching next to me from all the laughter.”

What have you been up to since retiring?

Since retiring I have been busy editing documents for the London Health Services as a Patient partner. I have served on a variety of committees but have cut back since my second cancer surgery. I also continue to work with a team putting together materials for patients of Dr. Kim who is one of the leading Canadian medical researchers working on an analysis of cancer patient’s DNA to determine the most effective medicines to mitigate and/or cure their cancer.

What were some of your personal highlights from your career?

Highlights and challenges included moving the library from Elborn College, to a building on Western Road, to Middlesex College.

Dialog actually head hunted me three times. I was chuffed when they would call me on a Saturday afternoon and recite a formula they developed for answering a question. They would ask me if I could find the error. Great fun and yes, I did find the answer. I loved showing the students how to create the formulas (equations) to correctly answer the questions posed. In my mind, I approached the problem like Sherlock Holmes using logic to solve “the mystery.”

I worked on analysing the new Copyright Legislation as it pertains to libraries. At Fanshawe College I initially worked as the Copyright Officers but, I ended up hiring a fabulous replacement. The work that was done challenged and changed how faculty could process and disseminate information in class and on the College’s internet.

The best things, for me, have been the relationships with the students, and working in an intellectually diverse and demanding environment.

Why librarianship as a career?

I wanted to work in an intellectually challenging academic environment. I also take great pleasure in helping people, seeking information sources, and developing new ways to analyse, disseminate, and communicate the information and the methods to do so.

Who were your mentors?

There were a few faculty members whose memory I hold dear. Alexis Jameson and Elizabeth Dolan were the most stimulating, compassionate, and note-worthy of my mentors.

What do you miss most?

The one thing I miss most is the students. They inspired me, challenged me, taught me and supported me. I learned so much from them in class and individually. As I also was the SLIS/FIMS reference librarian, I tried to teach and illustrate how to find the answers. I truly enjoyed the opportunity to help and instruct.

What would you tell yourself ten to twenty years ago that you wish you knew then?

I left the University to go to the College to explore a new challenge. It certainly was that. I was a round peg in a square hole. The culture was so different and I realized that, although I could make some positive changes, the dilemma was the political milieu. The amount of provincial government money for books and labs is egregiously less than what university libraries receive. Doing more with less while bringing university degree programs into this environment created serious challenges. I welcomed the opportunity to increase the database collections, and work with my university counterparts to try to further enhance the resources we offered.

I would encourage librarians to fully research and new environment that they are considering.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in librarianship?

Become adept at using and demonstrating the new technologies. Be aware of the concerns and prat-falls inherent. Be cognizant of legislations that that seem to be forthcoming regarding censorship, copyright, and diversity, and recognize the impact they will have on libraries, and individuals.

What advice would you offer someone planning to retire soon?

Keep yourself fit and intellectually occupied. Seek out relevant organizations to volunteer in. Ensure that you will have some financial stability. Travel and expand your horizons.

What are you…
… reading?

I am reading the last book in a series written by the forensic specialist Professor, Lady Sue Black. The title is, an expert witness. (no capitals used in title) Penguin Random house. 2026.

… listening to?

Hits from the 70s to 90s.