Ohio libraries newsletter.

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Ohio Libraries
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of the OHIO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
PEOPLE- Our Natural Resource
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Vol. 12, No.4 May, 1982
IN MEMORIAM
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JESSE H. SHERA
The library profession has lost one of its elder statesmen
and Ohio and the Ohio Library Association has lost one of
its most distinguished librarians and notable leaders. Jesse
Shera died on March 8 but the legacy he left to the profes·
sian will live on for generations. Dr. Shera was truly a man
for all seasons and there seem to be few adjectives that truly
describe this remarkable man. He was indeed a learned
man, an educator, a superb lecturer, a man of vision, a
leader, a librarian, an extraordinary human being.
There is not space to attempt to recount Dr. Shera's
achievements or the many honors bestowed upon him. let it
suffice that among his more notable honors were the ALA
Melvil Dewey Award, the University of Chicago's Distln·
guished Alumnus Award, OlA's Librarian of the Year, and
election as a fellow of the American Association for the Ad·
vancement of Science in recognition of his contributions to
graduate education In librarianship. In 1973 Dr. Shera was
inducted into the OLA Hall of Fame and in 1979 he was
presented an Honorary Membership.
Destiny decreed that Jesse Shera should be President of
the Ohio Library Association at a most crucial time. His
1903-1982
opening statement in his "From the President" column in
the January, 1964, OLA Bulletin set the stage for that year.
" I greet you at the beginning of what might well prove to be
one of the most critical years in the history of librarianship
in Ohio." Indeed it was, as the State librarian had just
reSigned, the state library faced possible extinction and the
Association was seeking to establish a true identity by hir·
ing an executive director and opening an office. It took a
strong, forceful , eloquent leader to successfully meet the
monumental challenges that faced librarianship in Ohio
that year.
Jesse Shera was an inspirational leader who continually
challenged us to be innovative and creative as we probed for
answers and solutions to the many problems confronting
the library profession. His wit and wisdom were legendary in
the profeSSion. Perhaps Bill Chait expressed it best when he
said that "Jesse has such ability in expressing his view·
points and ideas that he not only entertains and enlightens
he also inspires us." Jesse Hauk Shera's words and
thoughts will continue to inspire us all for many years to
come.
John Wallach, President