On Monday-Wednesday morning this week, retired Milligan College Biology Professor Julia Wade returned to the Library with Jake, her certified therapy dog, to help students relax over their impending or completed final exams. Jake was last here during Fall Final Exam Week. And once again, he was a hit with students.

When Jake first arrived on Monday morning, Mary Jackson, our Research and Instruction Librarian called out: “Jake is in the building!” and a bunch of students immediately got up from their study tables and streamed into the Welshimer Room. One student said later she thought she had done poorly on one of her finals, but after spending ten minutes with Jake she said she felt much better. Another student tweeted: “Therapy dogs should come to the library every day,” and included an Instagram photo of Jake. One of our library student workers wasn’t able to come visit with Jake. “I was so sad to have missed him!”

That’s quite an endorsement. Thank you so much Jake and Professor Wade for taking the time to visit with us!

On May 31, 2014, beloved staff member of the Milligan College Library, V. June Leonard will be retiring after nearly 31 years. The occasion was marked by a reception (shared by fellow Milligan College retirees, Professors Gary Leek (Biology) and Carolyn Woolard (French/Spanish)) in the atrium of the Gregory Center for the Liberal Arts, on Thursday, April 24. Present to participate at this auspicious occasion were many Milligan faculty, staff, and students, President Bill Greer, former Director of the Library Steve Preston, and members of June’s family.

President Bill Greer with retirees Gary Leek, Carolyn Woolard, and June Leonard

June Leonard with former and current Library Directors, Steve Preston and Gary Daught

June began working in the Library on July 1, 1983 as Office Manager. She was eventually promoted to Technical Services Manager and put in charge of library cataloging and acquisitions, a position she holds to the present. June is quiet and unassuming, but she has had a unique impact on students–especially those who work in the Library–by the way she engages with them and takes authentic interest in their lives. June’s employment career at Milligan College actually extends back to 1963 (through 1978), serving in various secretarial roles on campus. June’s dedication was recognized by the Milligan College community in May 2000, through the conferral of the Fide et Amore award for distinguished service.

Regarding her work in the Library, Director of Library Services Gary Daught stated: “The library world has completely changed during June’s tenure. But she never resisted change or fell back defensively on old ways of doing things. I was (and am) continually amazed at June’s consistently high level of interest, engagement, and her willingness to keep up-to-date and learn new things. June is a unique treasure. We are going to miss her.”

June was the recipient of an additional honor at Thursday’s reception. In November 2013, the Library announced the successful completion of its Million Pennies Campaign, having raised $10,000 to apply toward renovation projects. This donor level allowed for a naming of a study space in the Library. Originally, the plan was to arrange a vote for the naming opportunity. But when word of June’s retirement became known, it was obvious what the study space should be named. On hand at the reception was Vice President for Institutional Advancement Jack Simpson to present June with the plaque that will be hung at the entrance of the study space on the main floor of the Library. Director Gary Daught indicated that the funds raised in the Million Pennies Campaign will be used to purchase individual study carrels throughout the Library that will completely replace old existing carrels and match other furniture purchased in recent years.

Vice President for Institutional Advancement Jack Simpson presents plaque to June Leonard

The V. June Leonard study space on the main floor of the Library

The V. June Leonard Library study space plaque

When asked for her reaction to this recognition and reflections on her upcoming retirement, June responded: “How do you summarize your feelings or emotions in reflecting upon 45 years of service with Milligan College? I have had so many wonderful experiences and interactions with administration, faculty, staff and students. I leave Milligan not being able to express in words my appreciation for the recognition the College has given me–the Fide et Amore award in 2000, the 2013 Student Appreciation Award, and now the Library has announced that a plaque is to be placed in a library study room in my honor, which came as a result of the Million Pennies Campaign.

“I lived in Johnson City my entire life. When I first came to Milligan College to work in 1963, I had never been on the Milligan campus. Once I came, I never wanted to leave. I knew this was the place for me. The best part has been that I could have a small part in Milligan’s commitment: ‘Christian Education, the Hope of the World.'”

The poster announcing the P.H. Welshimer Memorial Library’s Fourth Annual Edible Books Festival on Monday-Tuesday, April 7-8, 2014 added the tagline “A Spring Tradition.” Based on the turnout of entries and persons coming into the library to vote and subsequently partake of the goodies the tagline definitely proved apt. This year we had 21 submissions, over 160 votes were cast for each of four entry categories, and by the early afternoon on Tuesday almost everything had been reduced to crumbs (we lost count of the number of tasters after 96 paper plates that had been put out were gone). Participation in the Edible Books Festival was enhanced again this year with submissions from Freshman Humanities creativity projects.

The mood was festive and celebratory as students, faculty, and staff streamed into the Welshimer Room just off the library main lobby to participate. Special thanks goes out to Mary Jackson (Research and Instruction Librarian) and Meredith Sommers (Information Resources Librarian & College Archivist) for organizing this year’s festival. Gary Daught (Director of Library Services) designed the poster and event banner.

The winning entries

Funniest/Punniest: A Farewell to Arms (Ernest Hemingway) by Mary Jackson

Most Creative: Much Ado About Nothing (William Shakespeare) by Lucy Gaudiano

Tastiest: The Monster’s Book of Monsters (from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling) by Alicya Suit

Overall Favorite: The Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss) by Grace Jackson

The Aftermath: Books reduced to tasty crumbs!

We’re happy to announce that the Million Pennies Campaign has met its $10,000 goal! That’s right–your small donations added up to more than one million pennies to benefit the Library’s ongoing renovation! Here’s the Milligan College press release announcing the good news. Thank you for your generosity and support!

So now that we’ve met our goal, what’s next? You may recall that our goal was $10,000 because that’s the level of giving at which a donor can name a Library study room. Since we’ve achieved that total, that’s exactly what we’re going to let you do! The room we’ll name, by the way, is the semi-enclosed study space on the first floor that contains the whiteboard (pictured below).

Before the end of the year, Library staff will compile a list of people we’d like to honor–people who have been important to both the life of Library and of Milligan College. Then, we’ll allow you, the donors, to select your favorite. In January 2014, at the beginning of the Spring semester, we’ll announce the process by which you can cast your ballot. By early Spring, we’ll tally the votes, announce the winner, and celebrate our room dedication with a public event!

Though we’ve met our goal, the renovation of the Library is not yet complete and will require additional funding. Thus, the Million Pennies Campaign will continue, but in a less-public manner. We’ll remove the donation box from the Circulation Desk, but Library staff will still accept direct coin, cash, and check donations. We’ll continue collecting gently-used textbooks, books, and media through the Million Pennies Book Drive, the sales from which benefit both Million Pennies and the National Center for Family Literacy. Any further contributions we receive will continue to benefit Million Pennies and larger Library renovation efforts until the Library is complete. Who knows, maybe we’ll raise enough to name a second study room before all is said and done!

Thanks once again for your incredible generosity. We appreciate all our donors for taking action to honor the Library and make it a better place for all its users.