Head of NLR library dies after battle with pancreatic cancer

Jeffrey Lee Baskin
Jeffrey Lee Baskin

The head of North Little Rock's William F. Laman Library who was diagnosed earlier this year with pancreatic cancer has died, his family said.

Jeff Baskin's wife, Sue Weinstein, posted Tuesday on the family's CaringBridge website that Baskin died that evening.

"He was comfortable and now is no longer suffering," Weinstein wrote. "Jeff was a wonderful husband, father and friend, and he will be greatly missed by everyone. While we mourn, let's remember Jeff's humor and humanity. We're all better for having had him in our lives."

Baskin's funeral will be 1 p.m. Thursday in the chapel at Griffin Leggett Funeral Home in Little Rock, 5800 W. 12th St. The Laman Library system will be closed from noon to 4 p.m. so staff can attend.

Baskin, 67, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in July and had undergone chemotherapy, became director of the library in 1986.

Since then, the Main Library's collection doubled in size and it opened a branch in Argenta. That downtown branch earlier this year moved into a renovated post office at Fifth and Main streets.

In a statement Wednesday, the library remembered Baskin for his "exceptional leadership, knowledge and commitment to the library" that "enrich[ed] the lives of the people in North Little Rock and central Arkansas."

"He served as executive director for 27 years, leading with passion and great ability as the staff and patrons adapted to new technology," the statement said. "His work helped make the library an increasingly relevant institution and learning center in our ever-changing community ... The Laman Library Board and staff will miss him and his compassion greatly. We consider it our privilege to have been granted the opportunity to work and learn from him."

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