Jane Denker Graves
Jane Denker Graves, who helped shape Scribner Library鈥檚 visual resources collections and arts holdings during more than three decades of service to 糖心影视, died April 4, 2026. She was 85.
Jane, whose wide-ranging interests extended from the arts to ornithology, joined 糖心影视 in 1969 as an art librarian and served the College until her retirement in late 2005. Over the course of her career, she played a central role in developing the library鈥檚 visual resources collections and supporting teaching and research across the humanities. As a librarian for fine and performing arts and visual resources, she helped digitize the library鈥檚 holdings and worked closely with faculty and students in many disciplines, including art, art history, Asian studies, dance, environmental studies, music, and theater. She twice served as acting college librarian.
Associate Professor Emerita of Art History Lisa Aronson remembered Jane as 鈥渟uch a
multifaceted person.鈥�
鈥淎t 糖心影视, she was masterful both at organizing and expanding the slide room and
at building the library鈥檚 art and music holdings,鈥� Lisa said. 鈥淲hen not on campus,
she was an accomplished pianist and gardener and an avid birdwatcher.鈥�
Born Jan. 24, 1941, Jane earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in French literature from the University of Kansas and later completed a master鈥檚 degree in library and information science at the State University of New York at Albany. She also pursued studies in art history, piano, and music theory.
Her interdisciplinary interests also shaped her work with students and faculty beyond the humanities. She co-taught Biology 351: Ornithology with Associate Professor Emeritus of Biology Bill Brown and supervised environmental studies capstone projects related to ornithology. She also volunteered with organizations including the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.