UMSI community mourns the loss of professor emerita and former assistant dean Constance Rinehart

Professor emerita and former assistant dean Constance O. Rinehart, whose long career at the University of Michigan School of Information shaped multiple generations of librarians, died peacefully in her home in Ann Arbor on Friday, August 25. She was 101. 

Rinehart first came to Ann Arbor in 1943 to obtain her bachelor’s degree in library science at what was then known as the University of Michigan Department of Library Science. She earned her ABLS in 1944 and her AMLS, also at the U-M Department of Library Science, in 1948. 

After graduation, Rinehart became a senior catalog librarian with the University Library where, over the next decade, she advanced to head the European Languages Unit of the Subject Cataloging Section. In 1967 she was appointed an assistant professor of library science on a part-time basis where she was immediately recognized as a popular and effective teacher. With the elevation of the library science program from departmental to school status in 1969, Rinehart joined the faculty of the School of Library Science on a full-time basis. She was promoted to the rank of associate professor in 1971 and to professor in 1977.

In 1981, Rinehart was promoted to assistant dean of the school. At the time, the Regents noted the admiration and respect the school’s alumni and fellow faculty members had for her. 

Rinehart was known for her kindness and her determination to prepare her students with the hands-on skills necessary to succeed in all aspects of library sciences. As computers became more central to libraries and the role of librarians continued to evolve, her instruction kept pace. 

“We’ve tried to present computers as tools of the information managers and not as separate entities," said Rinehart in 1986 when the school’s name was changed to the School of Information and Library Studies, acknowledging the broadening focus of the curriculum.

Rinehart retired from the University of Michigan and was granted emerita status in 1988 after 40 years of service. 

“Professor Rinehart has endless patience and a continuing desire to assist students with any professional problems they encounter,” read a statement released by the U-M Regents upon her retirement. “Her dedication to the field and her great respect and friendship for students earned her a unique and admired place among them.”

In the course of her career she published two books on librarianship and one volume of poetry. She was awarded the Hopwood Award by the University of Michigan in 1948 for her poetry. 

Constance Rinehart is survived by loving friends and her cat, Coco. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (306 N. Division St., Ann Arbor) on Wednesday, September 13 at 10 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to remember the Memorial Fund of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, or to plant seeds for pollinators in whatever plot of ground they may be able to access.

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Read professor Constance Rinehart’s obituary by visiting the Muehlig Funeral Chapel’s website.