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Kathleen Weibel Obituary

CHAMPAIGN - Kathleen Weibel, 79, of Champaign died at 9:45 p.m. Monday (July 29, 2024) at home. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at Evergreen Cremation Services, 314 Tiffany Court, Champaign.

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Published by The News-Gazette on Aug. 2, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Kathleen Weibel

36 Entries

Sue Sherif

October 2, 2024

I have only just learned of Kathleen's death this summer and after watching the wonderful memorial webinar that her library world friends have posted, I felt compelled to add my memories to all of the others.

When I met her in 1975 in Madison, she was known as Kathy, but no matter what we called her, we all knew her as wonderful force for librarians everywhere and an instant friend for life. I arrived at UW in January from rural North Carolina and Kathy immediately folded me into the network of amazing women centered in Helen White hall and beyond. My experience in library outreach in a poor Appalachian area was totally different than her experiences, but her unfailing curiosity meant that she peppered me with questions about my experiences and conferred expertise on me that I didn't realize I had. When I found myself without housing for the summer, Kathy offered me a house-, cat-, and plant-sitting gig in her funky Spaight Street apartment. It was in that year that we formed what we just part feminist consciousness, and part great potlucks. It was the informal beginnings of what became so much more in the following years.
Besides her warmth and energy always, I remember her over-the-top encouragement of a research project that I did, a look at gender stereotypes in children's librarianship, a topic that my professor regarded with a lot of skepticism, but Kathy, as the class TA, was my cheerleader. She urged me to prepare it for academic publication, something I had no interest in at the time. I should have listened to her, because now, almost 50 years later, I would like to read that work!
Because my life and career took me to Alaska shortly after that time, I only occasionally saw her over the years, but on those occasions when our paths crossed at ALA conferences, no matter how long it had been, it was always such a bright spot and definitely like no time had passed since the last time. As I read the memories of other here and listened to the memorial tributes to her on the webinar, I know that my memories of her are shared and magnified by so many others. Her death cannot extinguish the light she brought to so many of us who knew her.

Thanks to all who shared memories and photos here.

Tamiye Meehan

August 10, 2024

Kathleen´s ability to bounce into and out of your life, frequently changing the direction you thought you were taking for one that was more interesting or more fruitful never ceased. The imprint she left in this world is like sowing a bag of seeds. Some take root immediately ; some are slow to germinate. Some are carried away and germinate in another place. Many gave sprout to multiple new seeds/ideas/projects. The library world along with the many other areas Kathleen visited are the richer for the time she spent with us.

Kathy Micek

August 6, 2024

Kathleen, the sparkle in your eyes will shine on. You will be missed!
Kathy Micek

August 5, 2024

I miss you dearly. Words can’t describe how important you are to me and my family, and if I start listing all the things you’ve done for us, this post would be endless. I just want people to know that I owe you my life in Toronto, my mental health, self esteem. There’s so much of who I am right now that was inspired by you and your wisdom. You were kind but also stern, you fought for what you believe in, and you always showed me so much respect and autonomy despite my age.

I hope you’re at peace now, and wherever you are, there is a lovely garden where you can finally rest and sunbath with Rayshea.

Lam Ngo

August 5, 2024

Lam Ngo

August 5, 2024

Lam Ngo

August 5, 2024

Lam Ngo

August 5, 2024

Kathleen, it is unfair that you should ever pass away. You are larger than any life. I miss you.

Betty Turock

August 4, 2024

When I heard the news that Kathleen Weibel had departed this earth, I could not believe it. A friend for over 40 years, I met her when was a consultant at the New York State Library. After observing her in action I would share with anyone who would listen that she was one of the brightest librarians working to bring desperately needed services to all the people of the state. Observing Kathleen mentor the many new librarians she advised, it was clear that sharing new knowledge with them was an act of devotion to their development and to the development of our profession. At her side within the American Library Association´s Task Force on Woman and other feminist movements she was a warm, generous, gracious, and dedicated leader who was among the fiercest advocates for women taking their place in the top posts of our Association and nationally in our libraries, the greatest democratic challenge facing librarianship at this time in its history. Kathleen cheered me on, when with my partner, Elizabeth Martinez, we charted a new course to establish the Spectrum Scholarship program to increase the diversity and equity among libraries and librarians that fortified our role as an anchor institution in our democracy. When Spectrum was finally voted onto the books of ALA, Kathleen sent me a simple Irish message that I have cherished to this day, ."May the sun shine warm upon your face, Betty." And may you, Kathleen, rest in peace wrapped in the love and respect so many have for you.

Kathy Georgeson

August 4, 2024

Kathy was an old friend from college and we were both from New Jersey. We saw each other in NYC where we both lived and went to graduate school. Last saw her at our 50th college reunion and then exchanged news on Facebook.
Was hoping she would be able to visit me on Cape Cod since we were now retired. Fond memories remain and the world has lost a good soul.
Kathy Foulkrod Georgeson

Amy Weibel

August 3, 2024

Always took interest in her distant relatives, making me and my family feel like we lived right next door. We will miss you, Kathleen. Your remarkable spirit is a great reminder of how to live a fulfilling life. Thank you for sharing your deep and thoughtful knowledge of our family history - all that gives us tradition and perspective - with me and my family. You will be missed.

Patricia Schuman

August 3, 2024

Patricia Schuman

August 3, 2024

Patricia Schuman

August 3, 2024

Patricia Schuman

August 3, 2024

Patricia Schuman

August 3, 2024

Patricia Schuman

August 3, 2024

Patricia Schuman

August 3, 2024

Patricia Schuman

August 3, 2024

Patricia Schuman

August 3, 2024

Patricia Schuman

August 3, 2024

My portrait of Kathleen
Dinner with Anita Schiller, Peggy Barber, Stan Epstein
Kathleen

Barbara J Ford

August 3, 2024

Friend, professional colleague, neighbor, gardener who shared her flowers, amazing person with a wide range of interests. I miss her love of life and people and have memories of wonderful times with her.

Marcia Dellenbach

August 2, 2024

Kathleen had so many interests and knowledge it was always fun talking to her. She was one of the kindest most generous people I've known. I will miss her greatly

Irwin Faye

August 2, 2024

Kathleen
Joyous, but wary
Kind, gentle and giving
Mentor to many
I'm so, glad I knew her.

Kathleen McCook

August 2, 2024

Kathleen was a dear friend to me and my daughter, Margaret. I am adding a photo of them together at a conference of the American Library Association. Kathleen was also one of the most inspired people ever committed to librarianship.
Kathleen was a faculty member in the Simmons College Vietnamese Scholar-Librarian Program. She taught for several LIS programs as an adjunct and was a frequent invited speaker to LIS classes.
Kathleen was director of staff development at Chicago Public Library, director of the Ohio Wesleyan University library, and a consultant at the New York State Library.
Kathleen was a dear friend to generations of librarians.
She was a founder of the American Library Association, Social Responsibilities Round Table SRRT Feminist Task Force and was honored with the ALA Equality Award in 1988.
Some of Kathleen Weibel's most influential work:
ALA Task Force on Women-Pre-Conference, 1974.
Author: "Toward a Feminist Profession," -Weibel, Kathleen. 1976." Library Journal (1976) 101(1976):1 S. 263-267.
Weibel, Kathleen, 1979. The Role of Women in Librarianship 1876-1976: The Entry, Advancement and Struggle for Equalization in One Profession. 1979. Phoenix Ariz: Oryx Press.
"Public Library Response to Women and Their Changing Roles." Cassell Kay Ann and Kathleen Weibel. (1980). RQ 70-75.
Weibel, Kathleen. 1983. The Evolution of Library Outreach 1960-75 and Its Effect on Reader Services: Some Considerations. [Champaign]: University of Illinois, Graduate School of Library and Information Science.

Doug Powe

August 2, 2024

I remember being a freshman at Ohio Wesleyan and needing a job. I had worked at a library previously. Kathleen hired me on the spot. She had such a joy for life that spilled over in everything she did. I am grateful for getting a chance to know her.

David Rouse

August 2, 2024

Kathleen was the last visitor at my home in Florida before I reluctantly decided to downsize. We had a wonderful afternoon. In turn, she was a great host and tour guide when Marcia and I visited Champaign last year. Kathleen was both a dynamo and a gentle soul.

Han Liu

August 2, 2024

I got to know and be friend with Kathleen in 2016-2017 when I was a visiting doctoral students. There was no more better thing to have a former librarian as a host for an international student majored in library science. Thanks for all the good you offered to me. And I have not reply your last letter, I feel so sorry and so sad.

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