In July we bid farewell to long time colleague and library faculty member Laura Baker. Laura began her tenure at Furman in 2001 as our Interlibrary Loan Librarian, becoming an Outreach Librarian in 2013. She was promoted to Associate Librarian in 2020. Laura’s outstanding record of librarianship, teaching, advising and mentorship of students, leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ongoing service to the profession demonstrated her commitment to Furman and librarianship.
In her teaching, a faculty member described Laura as helping her “see possibilities for my own teaching, which is among the most valuable kind of support she could offer me or any other professor.”
Laura was described by another of her colleagues as one who “connects deeply and personally with students, particularly those in need of support. I have seen the students seeking her assistance as a librarian, as an advisor, and as an advocate.”
Laura’s greatest passion was in championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Whether thinking of programming; buying materials; creating spaces for students to feel part of campus; including voices and opinions that could get lost in the mainstream; supporting those who don’t have a lot of people to champion them, Laura has included, or reminded us to include, all students and the campus community.
Laura described her tenure at Furman as “one of growth, surprises, successes, failures, challenges, disappointments and incredible rewards.”
She will be missed.
Caroline Mills
Director of Libraries
Contributions from Libby Young and Patricia Sasser
