Debra Wilcox Johnson, former GSLIS faculty member, passes away

Debra Wilcox Johnson passed away on October 30 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, where she was surrounded by her family.

Johnson served as assistant professor and associate director of the GSLIS Library Research Center (now CIRSS) from 1987 to 1989. From 1999 to 2010, she was an adjunct professor for the LEEP online master’s program, teaching courses such as Administration & Management of Libraries and Information Centers, Evaluating Programs and Services, and Human Resource Management in Libraries and Information Centers. She was a highly respected and valued faculty member who positively influenced the lives and careers of GSLIS students.

“Deb Johnson delighted in sharing her considerable expertise with her students,” said Linda Smith, GSLIS associate dean for academic programs and professor. “I looked forward to seeing her in person every semester when she came to GSLIS for LEEP on-campus sessions. She always provided interesting updates about her current projects.”

A visitation (10:00 a.m.-noon) and funeral service (noon) will be held at the Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 Highway Q, Waunakee, Wisconsin, on Saturday, November 3. Immediately afterward, a lunch will be held at the Innkeeper Restaurant, 301 North Century Avenue, in Waunakee. Burial will follow in the Blooming Grove Cemetery, located directly to the east of LaFollette High School on Pflaum Road in Madison. More details about Johnson's life and career can be found at http://www.cressfuneralservice.com/obituary/95912/Debra-Wilcox-Johnson/ and on the News-Gazette website.

Tags:
Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

Students put designs into practice in escape room course

In the past few years, escape rooms have been on the rise, evolving from simple locked boxes in an open room to complex adventures spanning multiple rooms involving electronics, sound design, and even live actors. This past semester, students enrolled in the Makerspace: Escape Rooms (INFO 418) course brought that same spirit of creativity and design to the Fairy Tale Ball at The Urbana Free Library. 

Children lined up at a station at the Fairy Tale Ball at The Urbana Free Library.

Weech passes away

Associate Professor Emeritus Terry Laverne Weech passed away on June 5, 2025, in Staunton, Virginia. He was the widower of Eunice Hovis Weech, who passed away on October 16, 2022. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Brenda Bruce, and her husband, Timothy, and cousins, Wilber Rehmann and Susan Henry Anderson.

Terry L Weech

Library Trends examines generative AI in libraries

The iSchool at Illinois is pleased to announce the publication of Library Trends 73 (3). With the rapid adoption of AI, coupled with increasing ethical concerns relating to AI usage, bias, and authorship, "Generative AI and Libraries: Applications and Ethics, Part I" is the first of two special issues that examine how librarians are grappling with the effects of AI on the field.

Cover of Library Trends 73 (4), Generative AI and Libraries. The cover design is shades of blue with abstract connection points.