SUE RUGGE
1941-1999
An Innovative 20th Century Information Professional
Beulah Henry, U.S. inventor, said, "If necessity is the mother of invention, then resourcefulness is the father."[1] Sue Rugge (Roo-gee) was a creative information professional out of necessity and because she was resourceful. Sue gained invaluable experience, knowledge, and an understanding of the information needs of users working in clerical positions, a public libary and a corporate library. [2]
Out of necessity, in 1970, Sue partnered with friend and professional librarian, Georgia Finnegan, to found Information Unlimited, a company that soon became Information on Demand (IOD).(2) IOD employed runners in numerous libraries and provided document delivery as well as library research. This new and innovative service was well received by companies worldwide. After many years of success, IOD was purchased by industry giant, Pergamon Press.
Sue then went on to help found an institute through which she was able to teach and support independent information professionals. Sue and co-author, Alfred Glossbrenner, published (Tab Books, 1992)The Information Broker's Handbook: Everything There is to Know About Becoming a Successful Information Broker. She helped found the Association of Independent Information Professionals, serving as its President in 1988-1989. AIIP now boasts over 700 members.
When Sue was diagnosed with a rare disease she used her research skills to help others with the disease, providing those interested with a lengthy bibliography compiled through research on the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database. If you are interested in reading this work, take a look at MEDLINE SEARCH.
Sue Rugge has been widely recognized and honored since her death for her contributions to the information profession. Information Today published one
tribute.
Her local SLA Chapter, the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, honored her with a
Lifetime Achievement Award.
In February, 2000, The Association of Independent Information Professionals established the
Sue Rugge Memorial Award. The 2003 Award will be awarded at this year's Conference May 1-4, 2003, in Providence, Rhode Island.
A web site prepared by Sue's friend and fellow information professional, Reva Basch, includes pictures from the early days of IOD.
Credits:
[1]The Columbia World of Quotations. 1996.
http://www.bartleby.com/66/84/27884.html
[2]The Woman's Work-at-Home Handbook: Income and Independence With a Computer by Toni McConnel.
My appreciation to Reva Basch for permission to link to her sites and use Sue Rugge's photo.
Page created by Barbara Suttles for IS490, Spring 2003 .
School of Information Science
The University of Tennessee