We are saddened to share the news that former librarian and Head of Reader Services, Carol Sommer, died unexpectedly on Sunday, February 8th. Carol was at the Clark Library for almost 30 years, working in a variety of roles including cataloging, preservation, archival processing, and reader services before retiring in 2011.
Born and raised in San Diego, Carol attended San Diego State University as an undergraduate. She received two master’s degrees from UCLA, one in English and the other in Library Science and interned at the Clark Library while in school. She worked for the actor, magician, and book collector Ricky Jay for a few years before returning to the Clark Library where she spent the rest of her professional career. While at the Clark, she met and married Simon Varey in 1985 who was a visiting Fellow. Tragically, Simon passed away in 2002 from an aggressive cancer. Carol returned to San Diego after retirement, living with her two children, Laura and Max Varey.
Carol’s legacy lives on at the Clark where we have frequent reminders about her organizational skills, love of good conversation, and her professional interest in miniature books, English literature, and the occult. Details about a memorial service are forthcoming. Further information can be found here: https://www.featheringillmortuary.com/obituaries/carol-sommer
-Nina Schneider, Rare Books Librarian