Lipscomb community mourns the loss of former library director Carolyn Wilson

The Lipscomb community is mourning the loss of Carolyn Wilson, retired director of Beaman Library, who died following a brief illness on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Kim Chaudoin  |  10/17/2019

For 34 years, Wilson was part of the Beaman Library faculty. In 1980, she joined the faculty as collection development librarian and after having served as interim for a year was appointed director of the library in 1999. It was a role she held until her retirement in 2014. 

Under Wilson’s leadership, the library engaged in a significant reorganization and implemented a state-of-the-art online library system, connecting Lipscomb to other college libraries in the area, providing an online card catalog, allowing patrons access to their records and account as well as the ability to check for faculty course materials, among other initiatives. 

“At the core of every thriving institution of higher learning is a vibrant library. And at the heart of a vibrant library is a director who is passionate about providing a resource for students that is a gateway to knowledge and culture that helps shape the new ideas and perspectives that are central to a creative and innovative society,” said Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry in an email sent to the Lipscomb community Sunday. “Carolyn Wilson was one who devoted her career to library science and to serving the Lipscomb University community.”

“One of Carolyn's greatest contributions to Lipscomb was her hard work to strengthen the reputation of Beaman Library and Lipscomb in the larger Nashville and national book community,” he continued.  

Wilson, a 1957 graduate of Lipscomb, coordinated the university’s annual Landiss Lectures in the humanities, bringing best selling authors to campus each semester; helped organize Nashville’s annual Southern Festival of Books; and served as an officer with the Tennessee Writers Alliance, the Women’s National Book Association and the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book.

“Carolyn made certain that Beaman Library was an effective, useful and compelling environment in which to learn, said Provost W. Craig Bledsoe, Provost Craig Bledsoe, a colleague of Wilson’s for decades. “She supported faculty and student library needs and promoted the library as the heart of the learning experience at Lipscomb University. She managed to run the largest classroom on campus, Beaman Library, with knowledge, skill, grace, tireless enthusiasm and a heart for students and faculty.”

Wilson received a number of awards during her career including the Frances Neel Cheney Award from the Tennessee Library Association, Lipscomb’s Baker Faculty Excellence Award and the Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker Mentoring Award. In addition, she was nominated twice for the Athena Award, honoring exceptional women leaders in Nashville who inspire others to achieve excellence in their own professional and personal lives.

She served on the boards of numerous organizations in the community, including the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, the Tennessee Library Association, the Southeastern Library Association and the Tennessee Writers’ Alliance.

The Lipscomb community gathered on Monday, Oct. 14, at 9 a.m., for an informal time of coffee, conversation and prayer in the front lobby of the Beaman Library east wing to share stories about Wilson’s work at Lipscomb. 

“She always enjoyed a good cup of coffee and sharing stories, and I know many of you will enjoy coming together to share your special memories as well,” said Lowry. 

Wilson was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of over 25 years, Larry Kittrell Wilson, and brother Cordell Taylor. She is survived by her sisters, Barbara Smith (Otis), Anita Joor; daughters, Jennifer Wilson (Ralph) Rust and Elissa Anne Wilson (Paul Michael Hunt); three grandchildren, Lauren (Jeremy Lucas), Meagan and Taylor Rust; and her great-granddaughter, Elinor Violet.

Services were held at Otter Creek Church of Christ in Brentwood, Tennessee, on Oct. 16.