Seagle, who worked at the USGA for twenty-seven years, existed in the pre-computer age as a pioneer of her craft.  No computer could make up for the catalogue of information stored in her head, nor could it be any more organized.

"Janet facilitated access to the library,” said Dr. Rand Jerris, current Director of Museum and Archives, who spearheaded the tribute.  So it was only fitting that, in a nod to current technology (not to mention a burgeoning collection of books, magazines and archival material), the library’s latest online research tool – SEGL – was named in honor of the pacesetting Seagle.  Just call it “Virtual Janet,” said Jerris.

EGL, which stands for Seagle Electronic Golf Library, is a means to locate digitized books, magazines and other archival documents via finding aids or PDFs (portable document files). The entire library collection won’t be digitized because of volume; the hope is that the most-researched items, along with rarities, will be searchable.  Moreover, any researcher can use SEGL.

"The goal for us is to redirect access to the original and, at the same time, promote access to the surrogate copy,” said Doug Stark, Librarian/Curator of Collections and Exhibitions.  “Once we’re fully digitized, we can take the original out of circulation.  It’s a preservation and access-driven issue from a library perspective.”
A prime example of that is the defunct American Golfer and Golf Illustrated collections, two pre-eminent golf magazines.  Both are still largely popular with researchers, and both suffer wear and tear from contact.  If their usage can be controlled through SEGL, the originals will have a longer shelf life.

Another SEGL benefit is that researchers can use time more efficiently by finding what they need prior to their library visit.  “[SEGL] will encourage more of a golf presence,” said Stark.  If the ‘Virtual Janet’ can measure up to the vast contributions Seagle made, then it will be a winner for all sides.

Kevin Klavon, USGA