Lauretta 'Lolly' Eggers

LAURETTA P. "LOLLY" EGGERS

Iowa City

Lauretta P. "Lolly" Eggers died peacefully Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Lolly donated her body to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program. Burial will be held at a later date in Oakland Cemetery. Memorials are welcomed to the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation, 123 S. Linn St., Iowa City, IA 52240; www.icpl.org.

Lolly was born Oct. 25, 1929, in Omaha, Neb. She grew up in Des Moines. Lolly earned a B.A. degree from Grinnell College in 1951 and moved to Iowa City that year when she married Del Eggers, another "Grinnellian." Lolly began work at the Iowa City Public Library in June 1969 immediately after earning her M.A. in library science from the University of Iowa. She was the director of the Iowa City Public Library for 20 years, 1974-1994 when she retired.

During her tenure at the Iowa City Public Library before being selected as director, Lolly was a reference librarian, acting head of adult services, and led the technical orocessing department. Under her leadership, the Iowa City Public Library became the first in the United States to have a computerized checkout and catalog system. It was introduced in 1980.

She also oversaw development of a searchable catalog which reflected what was actually in the ever-changing collection, and developed the policy and system of purchasing multiple copies of popular titles to ensure one was always available to check out.

She was an active community leader particularly in the areas of women's rights and issues and political action. She worked on the development of the first Iowa City Fair Housing Act as a member of the Iowa League of Women Voters, and was one of the female employees of the city of Iowa City who filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint against the city alleging gender discrimination in employment policies in 1973. In a negotiated EEOC agreement to settle that complaint, the city agreed to specific practices to ensure fair treatment of women in hiring and employment policies. She also helped establish the Johnson County Commission on the Status of Women in 1973. In 1994, Lolly was named a "Woman of Distinction" by the Iowa City Senior Center.

In retirement, she researched and wrote two books. In 1997, she published "A Century of Stories, The History of the Iowa City Public Library, 1896-1997." In 2006, she published "Irving Weber, A Biography. She also volunteered for many years at The Book End store of the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation.

Her impact is also captured in a "Tell Me Your Story" interview by Ellen Buchanan in 1990. www.icpl.org/video/tell-me-your-story-lolly-eggers

Lolly is survived by her husband, Del; and their sons, Kim Parker Eggers of Grand Haven, Mich., and Kelly Andrew Eggers (Jane) of Mount Pleasant; and grandson, Gabriel (Gabe).

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Kevin; and her brother, Richard.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lensingfuneral.com.