Jeff Baskin, the executive director of the William F. Laman Public Library System in North Little Rock, died Tuesday at the age of 67.
Baskin, who served the library system for 27 years, was responsible for a great expansion of the library system, the adoption of new technology and the opening of its first branch, the Argenta Branch, which eventually came to occupy the former post office building at 420 Main St. The grand opening of the new Argenta Branch Library was on April 5, 2014.
Baskin had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July.
In noting Baskin’s death, the library system hailed his “exceptional leadership, knowledge and commitment to the library, enriching the lives of the people in North Little Rock and central Arkansas. … His work helped make the library an increasingly relevant institution and learning center in our ever changing community.”
Ron Oliver, chairman of the library system board, called Baskin “a true visionary, terrific administrator and a great friend.”
“The main thing Jeff taught me was that a library was more than a building full of books,” Oliver said. “It should be a center to educate and challenge people of all ages and all backgrounds. And, very importantly, it should be fun. His combination of intelligence, energy and vision will be hard to replace. The Laman Library and North Little Rock has lost a legendary leader. I have lost a true friend.”
Baskin’s funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in the chapel at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home at 5800 W. 12th in Little Rock. Interment will be in Jewish Oakland Cemetery.
The William F. Laman Library Public Library System will be closed from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday to give staff the opportunity to attend the services.
Jeffrey Lee Baskin was born Aug. 2, 1947, in New York City to Bernard and Muriel Baskin.
After returning to New York from the Vietnam War in 1969, Baskin enrolled in C.W. Post College, graduating with a master’s degree in library sciences. Baskin and his wife, Susan Weinstein, moved to Little Rock in 1976 after he was recruited to help expand the library at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He joined Laman Library as director in 1987.
In addition to his wife, Susan, he is survived by three children, Bernie, Meredith and Danny.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Synagogue Agudath Achim at 7901 W. Fifth Street, Little Rock, AR 72205 or the William F. Laman Public Library, 2801 Orange St., North Little Rock, AR 72114.
Baskin’s full obituary can be read here.
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