Honoring Sherry Chang’s 57 Years of Library Service at Stony Brook University

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Clara Tran

Science Librarian Sherry Chang, esteemed colleague and dedicated librarian, will be retiring on February 1, 2026, after an extraordinary 57 years of service to the University Libraries and the broader campus community. Her career reflects a rare combination of vision, dedication, and leadership that has shaped the Libraries across generations.

An Impactful Leader

Throughout her distinguished career, Sherry has been a constant source of leadership, expertise, and support–whether serving as a Library Administrator or in her long-standing role as a science librarian. Her work has touched every corner of the Libraries: from overseeing all of public services, teaching research instruction sessions and providing reference support, to curating and managing many science collections with care and foresight.

A true forward thinker, Sherry played a pivotal role in shaping the Libraries as we know them today. She established the Math/Physics, Chemistry, and the Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Information Center (MASIC) in the 70s, 80s, and 90s and she was the first librarian to introduce and develop our electronic journal collections. Over the years, she led the complex relocation and consolidation of collections from four separate branch libraries—including Biology, Earth and Space Science, Engineering, and Computer Science–into the Melville Library’s North Reading Room and Main Stacks. She launched the Southampton Library in the early 2000s.

Sherry’s impact extends beyond collections and services. She served as the initiator and project manager of a major 50,000 sq.ft. renovation project of the Central and North Reading Rooms, transforming them into the vibrant and beloved student-centered learning spaces they are today. This project involved the entire library, “giving me a chance to fully realize my dream for making our library align with the evolving demands of 21st century users,” Sherry reflected.

“Having built branch libraries from start to finish, Sherry’s intuition about all the components of a renovation project, from relocating collections and notifying stakeholders to making new spaces for students and updating the electrical and networking infrastructure to meet today’s technological needs, gave us the complete blueprint for a fabulously successful project that was accomplished in record time—just nine months!”, recalled Janet Clarke, associate dean of Research & Learning.

Sherry enjoyed teaching as well as research consultations. She said, “classroom teaching and one-on-one face consultations are different experiences. I enjoyed both, especially when students thanked me unexpectedly either in a hallway or off-campus. I always felt I learned from the students as much as they learned from me.”

She has published more than ten articles and is a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship (1997). A long-time and active member of the University Senate, Sherry has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to excellence, service and mentorship, and the academic mission of the University.

A Life-long Career at Stony Brook University

Female librarian holding an award next to another woman. — Sherry Chang receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship from former president Shirley Strum Kenny.

A love of libraries started early for Sherry: “The library has been my favorite place to study and access information since a very young age. It has been my dream to work in a library and help people to utilize resources useful to them.”

After earning a college degree in foreign languages and literature from Taiwan, Sherry arrived in the United States in 1967 to study library science at SUNY-Geneseo as an international student. When she finished her Masters in Library Science in 1969, a library school professor encouraged her to apply for a position at a newly established university located on Long Island–Stony Brook University. She vividly recalls her interview experience, including being met at LaGuardia Airport by a limousine sent by the library director, Ruben Weltsch. “What a VIP treatment I received,” she said. “Everything about the campus was very vibrant to me, full of beautiful natural woods and new and unfinished buildings everywhere. Nelson A. Rockefeller, then the NY governor, had a vision to build SBU into the ‘Berkeley of the East.’ Everything I saw on campus was very impressive and ambitious, full of potential, and I knew I had made the right choice. I have never regretted my decision to join Stony Brook.”

As she built her career, Sherry navigated new tenure systems and academic expectations while continuing her own education. To strengthen her credentials as a science librarian, she pursued a STEM degree at Stony Brook, noting that “people in the sciences showed more respect when they realized I was studying for a masters in Applied Mathematics.” These efforts exemplify her adaptability, grit, and commitment to professional growth.

Over time, Sherry assumed progressively senior roles, first becoming the new Math/Physics librarian in 1976, establishing the Chemistry Reading Room, and later serving as the Assistant Director for Science Branches and Associate Director of Public Services, overseeing all public operations.

Female librarian standing between two men in suits. — Sherry Chang with former library Dean, Joseph Branin, and former Chemistry Department chair, William J. le Noble

Throughout these leadership roles, Sherry continued her responsibilities as the Math/Physics Librarian. Robert Shrock, Distinguished Professor of Physics, praised her long-standing service: “She gave so many years of expert and dedicated service to the Math/Physics/Astronomy Library and, more generally, to the University Libraries. Speaking for myself and my colleagues, we are very grateful to her. In my role on the Physics/Astronomy Department Library Committee and the University Senate Library Services Committee, it was always a pleasure to get her valuable advice on library matters.”

Former Interim Director and Emeritus Librarian Daniel Kinney reflected on Sherry’s leadership style: “She promoted a healthy workplace and treated everyone with respect. Her collegiality and ability to foster cooperation across the library were key to the successful implementation of online systems in the late 1990s. The library is fortunate to have had Sherry on the faculty during its formative years and beyond.” David Weiner, retired Head of Circulation Services, similarly noted her fairness and compassion as a supervisor.

Karen D’Angelo of Cataloging & Metadata Services captured Sherry’s personal impact: “From the very first day I arrived at Stony Brook, I realized what a special personality Sherry had. It was her warmth that she brought into every conversation, making you feel like a valuable part of the organization. While we will miss her warmth, we’re excited for the chapter ahead. She has spent so many years giving so much of herself to others, and we hope that her future is filled with the same joy and kindness she has brought to us.”

Of her lasting contributions, Karim Boughida, Dean of Libraries, said, “Sherry Chang’s extraordinary service and leadership helped build the Stony Brook University Libraries we know today. I always enjoyed talking with her to learn more about the past, and I will especially remember her energy and her smile. Her legacy will continue to be felt for years to come.”