The Guild continues to mourn the loss of Taru Rauha Spiegel, our longtime member, Steward, and most recently Steward Director, who died suddenly in September. The Library of Congress has lost one of its great librarians—an advocate for its collections, its researchers, and its staff. We have lost a dear friend and colleague.
Born in Finland, Taru (who held a Ph.D. in Political Science and Public Administration) worked for many years as the Library’s Scandinavian reference specialist in the European Reading Room, and before that in the Copyright Office. Most recently, she wrote blog and social media posts for the European Division, further enhancing Library outreach for this digital age. From the time of her first arrival at the Library in 1983, Taru was involved as a member of the Guild. Over the years she took on leadership roles when needed while steadfastly lending her support to our members and to all her colleagues across many contexts at the Library. A official-looking name plate at her cubicle door read “Taru Spiegel, Saver of Lives,” with good reason.
Indeed, Taru had so many admirable qualities. She was dependable and responsible. She was analytical and practical. She was creative, and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was a level-headed and fearless promoter of the good. Taru was kind, and cared not only about those she represented through the Guild, but about her colleagues, friends, and acquaintances as well. Her generosity extended to mentoring less experienced staff members, one of whom she was recently instructing in the Finnish language. She also cared deeply about the Library, and about its unique collections.
The Guild was honored to hold a memorial gathering to celebrate Taru on September 22, which via Zoom brought together colleagues, friends, and Taru’s family members from California and Finland. That day, we were newly reminded of the extent and the variety of the ways she touched the lives of others, and miss her all the more. Taru’s family has created a permanent memorial page at https://www.forevermissed.com/taru-rauha-spiegel where your reflections and tributes are invited.
