As reported on Library Journal’s news page:
Ross Atkinson, the Cornell University, NY, associate university librarian for collections, has died at the age of 60 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Most recently, Atkinson played a large role in Cornell University Library’s Janus Conference, which focused on collection development. Over the years, he was heavily involved with the American Library Association’s Association for Library Collections & Technical Services, which commended Atkinson in 2001. “We have lost a great man,” said Cornell University Librarian Sarah Thomas. “I feel in many ways it is the end of an era. He was so brilliant and so passionate about bringing scholarship to scholars and about fairness and democratic access.”
I never had the pleasure of meeting Ross Atkinson, but he was well known to many academic librarians for his unique contributions to the profession. I have tremendous admiration for ACRL Academic/Research Librarians of the Year – it’s like getting into the Hall of Fame for academic librarians. Ross Atkinson will be missed.