Smithsonian Institution
Nancy E. Gwinn, Director Emerita of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, died at age 78 on April 29, 2024, after a two-year battle with cancer.
Nancy served as director of Smithsonian Institution Libraries for 22 years, from 1997 until her retirement as Director Emerita in 2019. Nancy brought the libraries to a new level of activity and recognition, expanding to include 21 branches that incorporate new services and technologies. Under Nancy’s leadership the libraries achieved the following accomplishments:
- Smithsonian Institution Libraries (SIL) became a leader in digital access to Smithsonian collections, including the creation of new tools for scholars and students.
- SIL was instrumental in launching the Biodiversity Heritage Library, an open-access database of literature collected by a global consortium that has collectively digitized over 310,000 volumes (63 million pages) of biodiversity literature.
- The preservation program grew beyond the Book Conservation Laboratory to incorporate environmental monitoring and preservation microfilming.
- SIL established its first Advisory Board and inaugurated an energetic advancement program, raising nearly $20 million to support new programs and operations.
- SIL successfully promoted new awareness and use of its unique special collections, world’s fairs and historical trade catalogs.
- In 1991, the libraries acquired an exhibition gallery in the National Museum of American History and initiated an exhibition, publication, and outreach program to bring its treasures to a broad audience.
- SIL launched fellowship and intern programs to bring researchers and budding librarians to work with staff and collections.
Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty, Nancy’s successor as director of the expanded Smithsonian Libraries and Archives (SLA), remembers Nancy with warmth:
When I was appointed director of SLA in 2021, Nancy was one of the first to congratulate me and spoke fondly of the staff, SLA advisory board, and the wonderful memories she had as director…[Nancy’s] love for the libraries was steadfast and served as an inspiration for so much of her life. I believe I can say without reservation that even in retirement, Nancy’s heart was always closely connected and committed to the libraries she knew and loved. I am just as certain that in this transition to end of physical life, Nancy’s enduring spirit and legacy will remain closely connected and committed.
Nancy began her library career in 1969 working as a reference librarian at the Library of Congress. In the ’70s and ’80s she held positions at the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) and the Research Libraries Group (RLG). At RLG she was instrumental in founding the RLG Preservation Program. Nancy joined the Smithsonian Institution Libraries as assistant director for collections management in 1984.
In the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), Nancy served on numerous committees, highlights include the Preservation of Research Library Materials Committees (1998–2000, chair 2000–2003), Special Collections Working Group (2008–2012), and Member Engagement and Outreach Committee (2016–2018).
A memorial service at the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church is being planned for June.
