Merrill Wadsworth Smith, associate head librarian of MIT's Rotch Library, died April 4 at her home in Sherborn after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was 64.
A memorial service will be held at the MIT Chapel on Saturday, May 13, at 3:30 p.m.
Smith joined MIT in 1978 as the head of the Rotch visual collections.�� From 1983 to 1985, as the videodisc project director for the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture, she led early efforts to use digital technology for image management and delivery.��In 1988 Smith was promoted to the position of associate head of Rotch Library. In that role she served in many capacities, including collection manager and acting head of Rotch Library.��
She earned a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University in 1963 and a master of library science degree from the University of Denver in 1966.
Smith was active in the Art Libraries Society of North America and served as its president in 1991. In her free time, she enjoyed traveling, downhill skiing, sailing and gardening. Her colleagues remember her for her optimism, strength of will, enthusiasm, nurturing character, sense of humor and professional expertise.
She is survived by her husband, Allen Smith of Sherborn, and a brother, Geoffrey Holmes Wadsworth.
Donations may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445.
