Library leader remembered for his commitment, leadership to others

Thomas G. Basler, Ph.D., retired director and chairman of MUSC’s Department of Library Sciences and Informatics and Academic Affairs faculty, died Nov. 15 in Charleston. He was 84 years old.

A field biologist, naturalist, scholar, medical curator, mentor and innovator, Basler had a distinguished career in medical librarianship working in all phases of academic health sciences at local, regional and national levels. He held roles and served in leadership positions at the A.W. Calhoun Medical Library at Emory University in Atlanta, the University of Miami (Rosenstiel) School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences, the American Museum of Natural History, the New York Academy of Medicine and the Robert B. Greenblatt Library at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.

Basler joined MUSC in 1991 as a professor and director of Libraries and Learning Resource Centers, managing South Carolina’s premier academic health sciences university, supporting education, research, patient care efforts and service programs and collaborated throughout the state and region. In his 26 years at MUSC, he led the library department through many transitional milestones. Basler was instrumental in establishing new programs, partnerships and important collaborations between internal communities, the public and academic library networks. He specifically worked with faculty, researchers, staff and students through the early phases of the library’s digital transformation and transition from a traditional library facility to a stand-alone digital library and repository of high-quality information.

MUSC President Emeritus Raymond S. Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., a Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, has kind memories of Basler and his achievements.

“I knew that in spite of his many accomplishments, Tom was a kind, modest and down-to-earth soul. He had a wonderful sense of humor and used it to great effect at both work and at play. He oversaw the most dramatic reinvention of the MUSC library and shepherded his team, and indeed the whole campus, through its transformation from a book depository to a digital hub," Greenberg said. "He attracted and retained outstanding librarians and supported them generously. He was one of the people who made MUSC a special place and his passing leaves us all sad, but grateful for the time that we had with him. I will miss him deeply.”

Former College of Medicine Dean Emeritus Jerry Reves, M.D., praised Basler for his vision, recognizing the value of the library as an important resource on MUSC's campus and the Lowcountry community.

“Tom and I seemed to have a special affinity and understanding about the role of a library in a university. I remember him being particularly surprised and pleased in one President’s Council’s meeting when he and I were the only two who pushed for the name ‘library’ to be on the naming of the Colbert Center. The library represents the gateway to a world of knowledge and Tom was a great gatekeeper,” said Reves.

Lisa Saladin, P.T., Ph.D., MUSC Provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, has worked with Basler most of the time she has been at MUSC.

“I had the privilege of working with Tom for the majority of his 26 years at MUSC. He was a humble and caring servant leader and mentor whose impact at MUSC is immeasurable. I admired his intelligent, thoughtful and strategic approach to problem solving and his ability to engender trust from others. He was a man of his word who cared deeply for those who worked with him and for MUSC as an institution. Since he retired, I have missed our philosophical conversations and his sense of humor-that twinkle in his eye when he was having fun. He will be missed but never forgotten.”

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Basler earned a Bachelor’s Degree in education in life sciences from the University of Miami in 1962. He continued with his studies and earned a Master of Science degree in library science from Florida State University in 1964. Next, he attended Columbia University and, later, the University of Santa Barbara. There, he earned his Ph.D. degree in Library Science in 1977.

In addition to his educational accomplishments, Basler was published in several dozen library education publications and served on multiple editorial boards and panels. He was recognized as a valued consultant and advisor on many regional and national library projects and held memberships in numerous statewide and national science and library organizations. He was named a fellow of the Medical Library Association.

Basler was the son of Gordon and Bertha Basler of Cleveland, Ohio. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Samille Basler, six children and other family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of one’s choosing.

Tributes for Dr. Thomas Basler

My fondest memories of Dr. Thomas Basler involve his attending MUSC Public Information and Community Outreach Program’s made-for-television dialogues at the SCETV Studio in Columbia, SC, because he recognized the importance of community outreach early on in his career. In addition to his belief in serving the community, he had a sense of humor, and anyone who knew him remembers his ability to convey a message by telling a compelling story, which always invoked a smile. He will be forever missed.
Latecia Abraham-Hilaire, DHA  
MUSC Public Information and Community Outreach  

Dr. Tom Basler was a visionary leader who founded what is now known as the MUSC Value Institute, originally established in 2012 as the Center for Evidence-Based Practice. The Center began with just me (a librarian) and Dr. Elizabeth Crabtree-Killen, with the goal of supporting MUSC’s efforts to advance evidence-based practice. The Value Institute, now led by Amanda Davis, was one of the first in the nation to incorporate librarians into the development of hospital guidelines, a pioneering move to advance evidence-based practice and population health. Dr. Basler's legacy lives on through the Value Institute's efforts to promote evidence-based practice education and access to evidence at the bedside for care team members across South Carolina. 
Emily Brennan 
MUSC Libraries 

Dr. Tom Basler was a gentle giant and simply an amazing human being. He was an intentional, bold professional and the epitome of compassion, resilience, and a champion for diversity, equity and inclusion. A tireless advocate and consummate leader, he was a man who spoke truth to life and will be sorely missed. But his legacy will live on forever. 
B. DaNine J. Fleming, Ed.D.
MUSC Office of Equity

Although he would vehemently deny it, Tom Basler was a quiet giant of health sciences librarianship. He was an innovator, a great storyteller, generous with his time and a truly kind man. Tom was a mentor to thousands and a good friend.  
Lynn Fortney 
EBSCO Information Services (retired)
MUSC Libraries

It was a great pleasure to work for Dr. Basler. We could discuss marine science, snakes, alligators (I used to help tag ‘gators in Georgia), plants, the Museum of Natural History, politics, books. He had so much interest in so many things – it was hard to keep up with him! When the library started to get Apple computers for the MUSC students/faculty to use, he wasn’t exactly all gung-ho, but in the end we had a photo of him helping a patron at one of the computers on the floor (and he was able to successfully help the patron!). Tom was a great example of public service in my eyes – in all that he did in the library, he considered the students, staff and faculty of MUSC and their access to materials/research/tools – things that could make it easier for them as his primary goal.
Teri Lynn Herbert 
MUSC Libraries

Tom Basler was a visionary leader, mentor and colleague whose belief in people inspired greatness, leaving an enduring legacy at MUSC and in health sciences librarianship. Tom’s impact was profound—he was a pioneer, storyteller, and thought leader who inspired those around him to “Change What’s Possible.” I am grateful that Tom saw my leadership potential. His leadership brought me to MUSC in 2014, and his guidance positioned me to assume the directorship in 2015. He inspired me to bring my best self to work every day, encouraged my ideas and supported my vision of making the library a place where people come to do their best work. I owe him a huge thanks for believing in me and allowing me to demonstrate my potential. Thank you, Tom, for your leadership, laughter, and the legacy you leave behind. You will be deeply missed. 
Shannon D. Jones, Ed.D. 
Director of Libraries and chair, Academic Affairs Faculty

Tom was a remarkable leader and an ideal mentor. He was a champion for everyone who worked with him and he spoke highly of us in our absence, which truly set him apart. Tom had a unique gift for recognizing potential and sharing it with the right people, which made a profound impact on my career and many others. His legacy of kindness and support will always be remembered. 
Mary Mauldin, Ed.D.
Professor Emerita, MUSC Academic Affairs Faculty

With the restless mind of an innovator and a jazzman’s soul, Tom Basler saw the library and the people who worked there as essential to the education of health professionals. He was always at the leading edge, his self-deprecating “aw shucks” manner masking the fact that he was usually the smartest person in the room. For many of us, he was more than just a professional mentor – he was guide and sounding board, and confident as well. And he would be embarrassed to hear me say so.
T. Scott Plutchak 
UAB Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences (retired director) 

Tom was well respected nationally, a leader with a curious mind and scientific approach to new knowledge. He was a visionary, an educator, a historian, a mentor and a friend. He was the leader we needed at the MUSC Library during a time of constant change and upheaval - those years of moving away from print content to digital with all that entailed, not only in information delivery but in the physical layout of the library. He was inspirational, supportive, empathetic and kind, and delivered challenges with an unfailing sense of humor. I feel privileged to have worked with him for those few years. 
Anne K. Robichaux
MUSC Professor Emerita 

Dr. Thomas Basler was a distinguished member of the MUSC community across three decades, a legend to those who knew him in his field of expertise, library science, and one of the most innovative thinkers I have come across in any field of higher education. As a young assistant professor, I was on the search committee that recruited Dr. Basler to an institution he would serve with distinction. I still to this day remember the recruiting dinner that members of the search committee enjoyed with Tom, learning of his past accomplishments and plans for the future. I recall afterward thinking of how Dr. Basler's commitment to excellence and his unwavering dedication to each of his endeavors might inspire and guide future generations of scholars and leaders, not only here in Charleston, but across the globe. In hindsight, Dr. Basler exceeded all of our expectations. On behalf of the MUSC Faculty Senate, I extend the deepest condolences of a grateful faculty to Dr. Basler's family and friends during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing Tom with all of us. His memory will forever be cherished by the MUSC community.  
Michael Schmidt, Ph.D.
MUSC Faculty Senate

I first met Tom when I was part of the Regional Medical Library program at the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Tom served on our regional advisory committee. He was always one to contribute wise and sage comments on our programs and efforts. He approached difficult topics others wished to avoid, but always in an illustrative non-conflictive manner. He mentored me throughout the rest of my career. He truly is one of the best medical librarians I have known. 
Jean Shipman 
Retired Vice President, Global Library Relations, Elsevier 
Librarian Emerita, University of Utah 

I met Tom Basler when he came to work at MUSC Library in 1991. He became my direct supervisor in 1995, and I remained under his supervision until he retired in 2015.  Tom was the most intriguing person I have ever met.  He had an interesting life and told many stories about his adventures. Also, his favorite NFL team, the Cleveland Browns, was my Pittsburgh Steelers’ rival. I loved talking about football with him. I learned so much from Tom over the years. He will definitely be missed. My sincerest condolences are being sent to Sami and the rest of his family.
Evelyn Blake
Retired Business Manager, MUSC Libraries