Tom Basler was an influential figure in the Medical College of Georgia, as well as Greenblatt Library history.
The former Greenblatt Library Director’s tenure saw many major changes, including moving from card catalogs to a computer-based system, expanding the library’s physical footprint, and working to make librarians receive faculty status. Basler passed away on Nov. 15 at the age of 84.
According to his obituary, ” Sidetracked into the wilderness of the written word, he has been blessed by the institutions he served as library director: University of Miami School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (now Rosenstiel), The American Museum of Natural History, NY Academy of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, and the Medical University of South Carolina.” The obituary also mentions that 13 of his former colleagues became library directors themselves.
Basler, a Cleveland, Ohio native, worked at Greenblatt Library from 1972 to 1991. In his first 10 years as director, he created a cutting-edge audiovisual laboratory with computer-aided instruction, doubled the library’s square footage, Improved the medical college’s interlibrary loan program, and curated an inventoried collection of historical, archival, and museum items.
Colleagues said he wanted the library to make a real difference and he knew the librarians and staff were important to accomplishing that. One thing he was remembered for was being generous with his time and being a strong supporter of professional development through workshops and in-house training. He enjoyed being a mentor.
By the mid-1980s, he fully implemented a computerized library information system, provided broadband connectivity to other campus-wide computer networks, and provided 24-hour access to bibliographic information. Nationally and regionally, Basler was also instrumental. He created organizations and cooperative agreements for many libraries in the Southern United States for sharing collections, obtaining grants, networking and problem-solving.
Basler’s colleagues remember him as a great storyteller and a fan of the Cleveland Browns. He will also be remembered as a giant in the medical library field with high regard and fondness.
The obituary for Dr. Tom Basler can be found here.
