Editor-in-Chief Leaves 'SLJ'

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Staff -- School Library Journal, 09/01/2000

Renée Olson, School Library Journal's editor-in-chief for the last two years, has left to become editor of the Rutgers University alumni magazine. Olson, who came to SLJ as news and features editor in 1994, says the move was motivated by a desire to return to what first drew her to librarianship: the chance to be a generalist.

"I really like a university environment, and I like the idea of writing and editing articles on all different subjects," she says.

SLJ publisher Fred Ciporen is currently conducting a search for Olson's successor.

Olson, 38, took over the top job at SLJ when former Editor-in-Chief Lillian N. Gerhardt retired after 32 years. Olson continued the high standards for children's literature and librarianship established under Gerhardt, while also branching out into new areas. "I wanted to make SLJ as intellectually stimulating and visually appealing as any magazine on my coffee table," Olson says.

She dramatically expanded SLJ's coverage of technology, and in 1999, oversaw a major redesign, aimed at giving SLJ a more contemporary, visually interesting look. The redesigned magazine was a finalist this year for the Most Improved Publication award from the Educational Press Association.