University Librarian dies at 49

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by Chetan Kapoor

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Shapiro was the first woman to hold the position of university librarian when she joined Rice in 1991. She was recently promoted to vice provost, a new position which she was the first to occupy. Shapiro was also a lecturer in the Sociology Department.

"Her life, particularly the last, difficult year, is a teaching for us," said Tony Gorry, vice president for information technology, who spoke during a memorial service on Aug. 7. "While she lived, her courage, humor and grace moved and inspired us. ... Beth Shapiro enriched both the mind and the spirit of the university."

Chandler Davidson, chair of the Sociology Department, said, "She was a warm, outgoing and friendly person who was a delight to work with."

He said that Shapiro worked very hard to offer her course -- SOCI 325, Sociology of Sport -- despite her full-time commitment as university librarian. He praised her courage to struggle "first with breast cancer and then with a brain tumor."

Davidson said Shapiro had thought her cancer was in remission when she found out she had a brain tumor and that it was serious. He said Shapiro was insistent upon grading her class's papers in the hospital.

He added that the class would not be offered this year unless a suitable part-time faculty member who wanted to teach the course was found. The course was not offered before Shapiro started teaching it.

President Malcolm Gillis said, "Beth lived a full and most fruitful life. She left an indelible mark upon the library and made hundreds of friends in the years that she was with us."

Gillis praised "the courage and equilibrium that Beth displayed throughout her sickness."

"I hope that all of us will conduct [ourselves] similarly when the time comes for us to face the eventuality, because we all will," Gillis added.

Professor of Sociology Steve Klineberg said, "What was greatest about her was her sense of humor, love of teaching and eagerness to bring the library into the 21st century.

"She had brought a lot to this university. It's going to be hard to replace her," he said.

Shapiro was involved in several university committees. She was actively involved in community volunteer efforts in both Michigan and Texas. She was also a board member of the Interracial Family Alliance of Houston.

Shapiro was born on July 18, 1946, in Newton, Mass., and was raised in Brookline, Mass. She was a 1964 graduate of Brook-line High School. She received a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University (MSU) in 1968, a master's degree in sociology from MSU in 1972, a master's of library science degree from Western Michigan University in 1974 and a doctorate in sociology from MSU in 1982.

The Sociology Department has instituted an annual award in her honor. The Beth Shapiro Award, with a cash prize from the Hall Fund, goes to a graduating sociology major who best exemplifies Shapiro's "courage, grace, perseverance in pursuit of a laudable goal, verve, empathy, love of life, humor, the ability to overcome challenges, concern for the underdog, moral strength and a winning personality."

The Shapiro Library Staff Innovation Fund will be an annual award to a Fondren Library Staff member who has developed an innovative program to provide library services to the Rice community or who has showed exemplary service to the university community. Contributions should be sent to the Office of Development, MS 81, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005-1892.

The Beth Shapiro American Radicalism Fund at MSU will be used for the preservation and electronic imaging of collections in American Radicalism in the MSU Libraries. During her college days, Beth was a member of the anti-war and civil rights movements and took special interest in helping to build the American Radicalism Collection. Contributions should be sent to Michigan State University Libraries, East Lansing, MI 48824-1048.

David Minter, master of Jones College and professor of English, has accepted the position of acting vice provost and university librarian. He will oversee planning for the library's upcoming expansion until a replacement for Shapiro can be found.

"We need to try to maintain some momentum in the planning process," Minter said.

This item appeared in the News section of the September 1, 1995 issue.

Copyright © 1996 The Rice Thresher. All Rights Reserved.
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