Residency Interest Group

  • 1.  Celebration of life for Fobazi Ettarh, Chicago 6/27

    Posted Jun 08, 2026 08:20 AM

    Greetings all,  

    As you may know, Fobazi Ettarh, librarian and LIS scholar who named the concept of vocational awe, passed away in late January of this year. She was a 2015-2017 resident, and I know that her loss is felt deeply in our community. Fobazi’s family will hold a public in-person celebration of life in honor of her life and legacy in Chicago on Saturday June 27 1-3 PM, at the South Asia Institute (1925 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 2nd floor; elevator available). All who knew and loved Fobazi or were impacted by her work are welcome to attend. Colleagues, friends, and family will speak in her memory, and food and refreshments will be provided.  

    Please RSVP on Eventbrite to help estimate attendance and manage catering.  

    If you are willing to display a flyer to let others know about the celebration at a Friday or Saturday ALA Annual event that you are speaking at or running, a flyer with details is attached. Please forward to other relevant lists as you see fit, and reach out with questions or accessibility needs.

    Warmly,

    Anastasia



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    Anastasia Chiu
    Head of Open Knowledge
    NYU
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  • 2.  RE: Celebration of life for Fobazi Ettarh, Chicago 6/27

    Posted Jun 16, 2026 11:02 AM
    Hi all,  
    This is a gentle reminder about Fobazi Ettarh's celebration of life in Chicago during ALA Annual, roughly 15 minutes' walk from the conference convention center. If you plan to come, please RSVP on Eventbrite; This is a great help in estimating seating and catering.  
    Here are the details one more time: 
    When: Saturday June 27, 1-3 PM, during ALA Annual 
    Where: South Asia Institute (1925 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 2nd floor, about a 15-minute walk from the conference convention center) 
    Food and refreshments provided  
    Many have kindly asked if they can contribute funds to defray the cost of the event and the lingering medical costs for Fobazi’s family; if you wish to contribute, please do so at this GoFundMe.   
    Warmly, 
    Anastasia


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    Anastasia Chiu
    Head of Open Knowledge
    NYU
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  • 3.  RE: Celebration of life for Fobazi Ettarh, Chicago 6/27

    Posted 24 days ago

    Hello all,

    This is a reminder about the public celebration of life for Fobazi Ettarh, beloved librarian, scholar, and activist, in Chicago concurrent with the ALA Annual conference, and roughly a 15 minute walk from the convention center. 

    We are thus far well below the venue’s capacity, expect to have plenty of food, and would really love to see folks there. If you were moved by Fobazi’s scholarship on vocational awe, please come and be part of the celebration! You needn’t have personally known her to come; all are welcome. Here is the Eventbrite.

    Here are the details one more time: 

    When: Saturday June 27, 1-3 PM

    Where: South Asia Institute (1925 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 2nd floor, elevator available) 

    No dress code; come as you are. Colleagues, friends, and family will speak in her memory, and food and refreshments will be provided.




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    Anastasia Chiu
    Head of Open Knowledge
    NYU
    ------------------------------