Category | Arts & Living

Rare book gallery director retires, leaves behind legacy

Published on November 3, 2009 by Heather Cook

A reception was held Oct. 29 for Robert Williams to recognize his retirement as the director of the Rare Book Gallery. Williams established the gallery after Betty Siegel, then university president and Fred Bentley, a benefactor to the university, requested that he use his rare book expertise to do so.

“This is my 24th year,” said Williams. “It seems just yesterday that I arrived.  Sometimes it helps to have friends in high places-Dr. Betty Siegel was president then.  I met her at Cumberland College in Kentucky where she asked me to come visit her-I stayed.”
“With Fred Bentley’s help, guidance and convections, the project took on a life of its own,” Williams said. ”The collection continues to come into being every day.”

“Mr. Williams has led the library since 1986 and has always been committed to service,” said Rita Impey-Imes, assistant curator for the Rare Book Gallery. “When times were tough and budgets were very tight in the 1990s, KSU was one of the few libraries that continued to stay open during the weekend while other university libraries closed their doors.”

At Williams’ reception, Siegel and Bentley spoke and there were two musical selections performed by Tamara Livingston and Steve Burton. Stephen Braden, Rita Spisak, Dewi Wilson and David Evans.

“The depth of knowledge Mr. Williams has in the field of rare books is exceptional and his expertise in collecting is irreplaceable,” said Impey-Imes. “Mr. Williams is an extraordinary scholar, teacher and leader and has devoted himself to exemplary service for the library, campus and community.”

After his retirement, Williams plans to go to Great Britain to visit old friends and familiar places. He may even purchase some more books. In the spring, he plans to come back to KSU and work with Tamara Livingston with the new “Institute for the Book” program.

“By far my favorite thing is talking to students about rare books and seeing them become collectors,” said Williams. “That is a most marvelous feeling.”

As Abraham Lincoln once said, “I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.” This wisdom also represents what Williams has accomplished for KSU.