After 39 years as Maine State Librarian, Gary Nichols, the longest serving State Librarian in the United States, retired at the end of 2008. With numerous far-reaching accomplishments during his career at the State Library, Nichols provided Maine citizens with expanded access to resource sharing and information. Examples include:

* Formation of the Maine Regional Library System focused on cooperative resource sharing and support by district consultants

* Development of the first regional library for the visually and physically challenged

* Partnership with other Northeast states to create the world renowned Northeast Documents Conservation Center in Andover, Massachusetts

* Creation of MARVEL, Maine’s virtual library, providing every resident of Maine with access to a collection of full text and abstracts from magazines, newspapers and reference books

* Formation of Maine InfoNet, a joint venture with the University of Maine, dedicated to improving information and library service to all Mainers through online systems and technology

* Creation of the Maine Cultural Affairs Council, seven Maine cultural agencies who jointly support programs and legislative initiatives.

When Nichols became State Librarian, technology applications were a future dream. Upon his retirement, online catalogs, library web sites, and full library management systems were common in Maine libraries. Circulation systems, book reserves, and renewals and interlibrary loans are available to citizens in most areas of the State.

Shortly before his retirement Nichols was honored by the presentation of a Legislative Resolution by then-Senate President, Elizabeth Mitchell. He was also honored at the Maine Libraries Conference in October 2008 and individually by the many state boards on which he serves. He retired while serving his third year as President of COSLA , the national Council of State Library Agencies. His peers honored him at a dinner during their regularly scheduled meeting in Jackson, Mississippi. It will be nearly impossible for any State Librarian to serve longer than Nichols, and a challenge for any successors to match his grace, judgment, vision, and accomplishments for Maine citizens through their libraries.