University Libraries

Heidi Gauder, professor, coordinator of research and instruction, and humanities librarian in the University Libraries, died Nov. 18.

Gauder joined University Libraries in 1998 and had served in her role as coordinator of research and instruction since 2008. She led the library’s instruction program to reach students, facilitating librarian-led teaching of important research practices and skills across the curriculum. She co-developed and taught a course called “This is UD” which introduced students to using archival materials in researching campus history. She also taught research methods courses for philosophy and international studies students. 

Gauder enhanced the student experience through other initiatives. In 2005, she started the Porch Reads program, which promotes leisure reading among UD students with free books and faculty-led book discussions over dinner. She also strengthened partnerships between the Libraries’ research support services and the student writing center.

Gauder was an avid researcher of Dayton history. She shared many interesting findings on the University Libraries blog, including articles about immigrants from Hungary, life on Brown Street, entrepreneur Moses Moore and manufacturing. She taught a class, “Untold Dayton History: What’s Not in the History Books,” through the UD Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in 2022 and 2023. 

She graduated from UD with a bachelor’s degree in American Studies and earned a master’s degree in the same subject from Purdue University. She later added a master’s in library science from Indiana University. 

“While I only had the opportunity to work at Roesch Library with her for a short time, I have known Heidi as a colleague and friend for many years,” said Mandy Shannon, University Libraries director of teaching, research and engagement. “Her passion for her work, whether information literacy instruction and assessment or telling the untold histories of Dayton, was infectious. She also inspired others to pursue librarianship as a profession. I will miss her humor, her stories, her collaboration and her friendship.”

Gauder valued fostering strong working relationships and collaboration across campus. She published and presented research on innovations in teaching and library services, working often with faculty and staff colleagues to share successful case studies and research findings with the library profession and beyond. Gauder represented University Libraries on committees for the English department and the Common Academic Program, and spent time as the library faculty representative and secretary on the Academic Senate.

“Heidi Gauder was one of the very first people I met when I came to UD in 2008 outside of my home department,” said Michelle Pautz, political science professor and associate dean for curriculum and student academic success. “She embodied the best of UD, being warm and welcoming, and would do anything she could to help. I saw that manifested over the years as she guided students in library instruction sections and one-on-one meetings, serving broader institutional learning efforts in serving on the CAP committee for many years, and collaborating with me on articles on the scholarship of teaching and learning. Her presence on our campus for so many years will leave a huge impact and her absence will be felt deeply.”

Colleagues say Gauder would also be remembered for her commitment to mentoring students and library staff at UD and around the state. The Academic Library Association honored Gauder in 2019 with the Kathryn L. Vendetti Mentoring Award, and the citation described Gauder as “the type of mentor that every new librarian wishes they had.” 

“The loss of Heidi is being keenly felt in the University Libraries, across campus, and in the professional networks where she served as an active leader in student learning, information literacy and assessment,” said University Libraries Dean Matt Shaw. “Heidi centered the student experience in both practice and research and advanced the instructional work of UD's libraries in support of student success. She was also appreciated as a caring friend, dedicated mentor, and insightful thought partner by those who served with her. Heidi's legacy is of enduring value and will continue to impact future learners at UD. The Libraries extend our heartfelt condolences to Heidi's family and to all those touched by her remarkable life.”   

Gauder's obituary lists visitation as 4-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at Tobias Funeral Home in Beavercreek. The funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.