We at the University Libraries were saddened by the April 2 death of Maxine Jessup Houghton Wallin, a University graduate, a librarian who had worked at Walter Library, a Friend of the Libraries, and a philanthropic leader who has made significant contributions to the University of Minnesota.

As noted in the Star Tribune obituary, Wallin was “intellectually curious and always anxious to learn, joyful in her engagement with books and ideas and the people who liked to talk about them. She had an impressive knowledge of history and seemed to know something about almost everything.”

Her passion for libraries and learning was reflected in a $1.5 million gift from the Wallin Foundation to the University Libraries. It provided funding for a research, classroom, and exhibition space located on the ground floor of Elmer L. Andersen Library. This space, named the Maxine Houghton Wallin Special Collections Research Center, opened in 2018.

“The Wallin Center has been transformative in our services to researchers and in our ability to engage students in courses from across the University and beyond with rare and unique materials,” said Kris Kiesling, Director of Archives and Special Collections.

We offer our condolences to Maxine Wallin’s family. A celebration of her life will take place on June 3, 2023. Details can be found in the Star Tribune obituary linked above.