Happy Retirement, Donna Bausch!

by Evelyn Campbell

Another stalwart of the Virginia Association of Law Libraries has retired. On October 31, Donna Bausch, law librarian of the Norfolk Law Library, officially retired after having spent more than three decades in law librarianship. For those of us who consider Donna a colleague, mentor and friend, we will sorely miss her presence - her professional and personal generosity, her sage advice and her ability to find humor in every situation.

VALL members past and present and their support units who came to celebrate Donna

Donna was introduced to law librarianship when she was a One-L at George Washington University where she worked with Jim Heller, who retired earlier this year from the College of William & Mary’s Wolf Library. Donna has often told the story of how by the third week of law school, she realized that the practice of law was just not for her. Working for Jim who was the head of public services at the GWU law library, introduced her to what appeared to be an enjoyable career choice – law librarianship.

After obtaining her JD from GWU and an MSLS from the Catholic University of America, that career choice led her to work in private law libraries and academic law libraries in Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Virginia, before settling into her position at the Norfolk Law Library in 1992, when Jean Holcomb left that position for one in Seattle, Washington.

Everywhere her career took her, Donna made a point to be involved with her library community at the city, state, regional and national level. Those of us who have been fortunate to work with Donna, were always encouraged and given every opportunity to join professional associations, and participate in committees and attend meetings and conferences. Service to our profession became a very important part of our careers because of Donna.

Donna has held the helm of various library associations – she was president of the Southeastern Association of Law Libraries (SEAALL) from 1997 – 1998 and president of VALL from 2000 – 2001. Over the years, her contributions to the profession through writings, teachings and committee work, has not gone unnoticed.

In 2003 Donna received the Service of SEAALL Award, and in 2015 the American Association of Law Libraries honored her with the Volunteer Service Award.

Donna doesn’t just give to her profession, but she is involved with her community as well, serving on boards of the Friends of the Old Dominion University Library, the Norfolk Public Law Library and the Chrysler Museum of Art Library. She believed that the more she gave to her community, the more public support the NLL received through fund-raising campaigns and support of the bar association.

In retirement, Donna intends to continue in her community work – as docent at the Chrysler Museum of Art; and as board member of the Virginia Stage Company, Norfolk Chamber Consort and Hermitage Museum Auxiliary. “As a true believer in the power and magic of the arts at all stages of life, I hope to continue to devote my volunteer efforts primarily in that sector in the years ahead,” Donna said.

Retirement plans? “Man plans; God laughs,” Donna joked. She hopes to live mindfully and in the moment and hopes that those moments will be spent exploring the world with family and friends.

“I will not need to gaze into a crystal ball to predict that Donna’s path to this next phase of her life will be a smooth one,” said Jean Holcomb. “She’s spent her career as a law librarian developing a set of transferable skills.”

“At one time or another, we’ve all been a beneficiary of her research skills.  Scouting out new activities will be a breeze.  Her networking tactics are legendary and not limited to legal research topics.  She will find new avenues for her enthusiasms.   Her wicked sense of humor will serve her in good stead as she navigates the twists in the road ahead. 

While I could fill the page with adjectives that describe Donna, the key descriptor is generosity.  Who among us has not benefited positively whether it be an answer to a difficult research query, a glass of wine and meal at a conference, or a word of encouragement in a dark time.

Without the aid of a crystal ball, I can confidently predict the road ahead for Donna will be a colorful and rewarding one,” Jean said.

Norfolk Law Library alumni - Evelyn, Donna & Jean

Before she leaves us to explore the world, Donna does have some advice for newer librarians, “Focus like a laser beam on your customers and on the results they seek. That, and take advantage of the richest research resource of all – your professional colleagues. The best thing about this career has been the amazing, fascinating, kind, generous, brilliant law librarians with whom I’ve shared this journey. Time spent in professional association work results in both personal fulfillment and professional advancement. Time well spent.”

We wish Donna all the best in the next chapter of a life that has been well-lived and well-traveled, and we look forwarding to hearing all about her new adventures!