BGSU librarian had 'great love of books'

7/7/2006

BOWLING GREEN - Nancy G. Steen, 67, a retired longtime librarian at Bowling Green State University's Jerome Library, died of cancer Monday in her home here.

Ms. Steen, who retired in 1990, started at Jerome Library in 1967 and supervised librarians in the book circulation department for several years before she was transferred to the library's rare books department, where she was the librarian until retiring.

Before that, Ms. Steen was an assistant in the acquisition department at the former BGSU library building, which is now the McFall Center.

"She had a great love of books. She was very well-read," said Sherrill Gray, her friend and former colleague, who also is a retired Jerome Library librarian.

A native of Bowling Green, Ms. Steen was a Bowling Green High School graduate. She received bachelor's and master's degrees in history from BGSU and a master's degree in library science from the University of Michigan.

In retirement, Ms. Steen, who also enjoyed music, traveled extensively to attend concerts by Jose Carreras, a Spanish tenor, which she reviewed for the Jose Carreras Society of America, of which she was a board member.

Ms. Steen's other memberships included the Greenwood Chapter of the Eastern Star and Friends of the University Libraries, both in Bowling Green.

Surviving are her stepsister, Beverly Budd, and stepbrother, Ted Knight.

There will be no services and no visitation. Arrangements are by the Dunn Funeral Home, Bowling Green.

The family suggests tributes to the BGSU Foundation, Winifred and Greeley Steen Rare Books Collection Fund at BGSU, Friends of Jose Carreras International Leukemia Foundation, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, or Heartland Home Health Care and Hospice.