A Change of Plans

I began the day intending to travel to Statesville to meet the newly installed Library Director at Mitchell Community College, Beverly Rufty.  I got a call on the way announcing a change of plans so I redirected my path to Winston-Salem State University.  When I had visited this summer, the staff was gone but this time I got to meet the senior member of the staff, Cynthia Levine.  Cynthia has been at WSSU for 18 years, longer than anyone else.  Her job is to purchase the books for the library and her office is home to the office coffee pot.  It was my good fortune because one of those who dropped by to fill her cup was the new Director of the Library, Wanda Brown.  She replaced Dr. Mae Rodney who retired after 32 years of service.  You can tell there is a team spirit in the office at WSSU.

My next stop was at Salem College.  Salem is a historic Moravian school and the buildings and grounds are intermingled with the historic setting of Old Salem.  It is one of the most beautiful settings I am privileged to visit.  The Moravian Church established Salem in 1753.  I am particularly grateful to the Moravians because of the profound influence for good which they had on my brother, John.  Their example of the Moravians and the wise counsel of one of their leaders, Peter Boeler both saved his life and set him on the path to greatness.  The Moravians were protestants who found protection from religious persecution on the estate of Count Zinzendorf in what is now, the Czech Republic.  They came to America to seek both economic opportunity and the freedom to worship God without fear.

Guilford College is a Quaker school located in Greensboro.  When I visited this past summer, they were moving the president's office and relocating some of the Library.  That work is complete now and the Library is beautiful and functional.  It is the week of "Fall Break" at many of the schools and the librarian, Suzanne Bartels was not there but the rest of the staff was very friendly and helpful.  

In downtown Greensboro is Greensboro College.  As I approached the front of the J. A. Jones Library it looked like it had snowed!  As I got closer the "snow" was paint chips from the antebellum columns on the front of the building.  They are being prepared for painting and the work is being done while the students are away for Fall Break.

Laurel University in High Point recently changed its name to John Wesley University.  To say that I am proud to see my brother's name on an institution of higher education wold be an understatement.  On my way to JWU, I came

within one block of the home my wife and I owned when we were first married.  I couldn't resist taking a picture.  We only lived there a year but it holds a lot of great memories.

There are a few schools that are not on the way to any where.  One of those is Rockingham Community College in Wentworth. In a previous blog, I mentioned the connection between Wentworth, Rockingham County and the town of Rockingham (which is not in Rockingham County).  RCC sits among the pine trees of Piedmont NC up near the border of Virginia.  On the way from High Point to RCC, I stopped for a delightful lunch at Lucie's Cafe near Riedsville.  I had the chicken casserole with an unusual cornbread crust and a mixture of field peas and corn that was excellent as well.

On the way home, I received a phone call with some disturbing news.  I thought as I hung up the call, how the day had begun with a call that changed my plans and ended with a call that changed me.  When our phones ring, we never know what is behind the call until we hear and understand.  Sometimes it's good news and sometimes it's bad but we will never know until we listen and comprehend.  Those are skills I want to practice.

A Very Good Day

As is the case with most jobs, some days are better than others.  My travel today was a very good day.

I began where I left off last week at McDowell Technical Community College.  Pat Tallent had told me last week that the Director, Sharon Smith was more likely to be found at the library in the morning.  So MTCC was my first call of the day.  Sharon Smith is the Director of the library and has served in that position for many years.  I soon learned that Sharon and I were from the same town and we spent some time reminiscing and catching up on mutual acquaintances.  I also learned that she is a very active Methodist (my brother’s tribe) and has served her Church locally and at the denominational level.

My next stop was at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton.  When I was last there, Director Nancy Daniel was in a small room with only a few books because the library was being renovated.  On this trip I was able to see both the fruit of that renovation and the work that goes into such a task.  The Library is beautiful and is clearly a source of pride to Ms. Daniel.  She stopped her work to show me around.  During our brief tour, I saw the rooms that will house the collection of both books and memorabilia of the late Senator Sam Ervin.  My one concern about the building is that one wall (the one facing the mountains) is entirely glass.  I’m not sure I could get much studying done if that were my view!  On the floor were hundreds of boxes of yet-unpacked books.  The task of renovating a library is huge but the reward will be well worth the effort.

Lenoir Rhyne is a university located in Hickory.  It was begun by the Lutherans and has held a

prestigious place in North Carolina education since its founding in 1891.  The Director is Rita Johnson whose dog, Bayla greeted me the last visit.  Bayla had not accompanied Ms. Johnson to school on this day, however.  Lenoir Rhyne has had an increase in enrollment for the past eight years and is preparing to offer its first doctoral level degree program. Much of the credit (according to Ms. Johnson) goes to retiring president, Dr. Wayne B. Powell

As I was leaving, I mentioned that my next stop was at nearby Catawba Valley Community College.  Ms. Johnson said, “Say hello to Staci for me.”  “Staci” is Staci Wilson, director of the library.  When I visited earlier, she was in a meeting and I missed her once again.  Fortunately, CVCC is near to where I live so I will be able to call again easily. 

In the lobby of the building was a civic-minded woman registering students to vote.  My commendation for her efforts led to a conversation in which it was clear that her motivation was born of a passionate desire to see one of the four candidates elected.  Although she and I do not agree on which candidate should be elected, I am glad she is encouraging people to register and to vote.  I do not agree with those who think abstaining from voting in the current presidential election is somehow the “moral high ground” because of the character of the candidates.  I, too, wish we had a better choice.  But we don’t and choosing a leader is both a right and a responsibility of a free people.

Climbing off my soap box I proceeded toward Wilkesboro and Wilkes Community College.  On the way, I stopped in Oxford for lunch at Sigmon’s Grill.  My brother attended college at Oxford, but that Oxford is in England.  Lunch was a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich served by waitresses who seemed to know every person who entered the restaurant.  The meal was delicious but I was reminded that the season of fresh tomatoes is past.

Wilkes Community College is built on the side of a mountain and I discovered a geological marvel.  It was “uphill” both going and coming to my car!  Rebecca Krueger is in charge of the collection at WCC and while I was waiting for her, I talked with her staff about how GPS-enabled devices have made us “lazy” directionally.  I’m sure my brother would find a sermon illustration in that statement somehow.

My final stop was in Dobson at Surry Community College where I met Dr. David Wright.  He’d been gone when I’d visited the library during the summer and I had looked forward to meeting him because of his expertise in Community Colleges.  He is extremely knowledgeable of both the people and the programs employed by North Carolina’s fifty-eight Community Colleges. 

Driving home, I discovered another physical anomaly.  Whether driving “south” on I-77 or “west” on I-40, the sun was in my eyes!  As I write this, it is raining.  Life is made up of sunny days and rainy days and both are good for us. 

A Very Good Day

As is the case with most jobs, some days are better than others.  My travel today was a very good day.

I began where I left off last week at McDowell Technical Community College.  Pat Tallent had told me last week that the Director, Sharon Smith was more likely to be found at the library in the morning.  So MTCC was my first call of the day.  Sharon Smith is the Director of the library and has served in that position for many years.  I soon learned that Sharon and I were from the same town and we spent some time reminiscing and catching up on mutual acquaintances.  I also learned that she is a very active Methodist (my brother’s tribe) and has served her Church locally and at the denominational level.

My next stop was at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton.  When I was last there, Director Nancy Daniel was in a small room with only a few books because the library was being renovated.  On this trip I was able to see both the fruit of that renovation and the work that goes into such a task.  The Library is beautiful and is clearly a source of pride to Ms. Daniel.  She stopped her work to show me around.  During our brief tour, I saw the rooms that will house the collection of both books and memorabilia of the late Senator Sam Ervin.  My one concern about the building is that one wall (the one facing the mountains) is entirely glass.  I’m not sure I could get much studying done if that were my view!  On the floor were hundreds of boxes of yet-unpacked books.  The task of renovating a library is huge but the reward will be well worth the effort.

Lenoir Rhyne is a university located in Hickory.  It was begun by the Lutherans and has held a

prestigious place in North Carolina education since its founding in 1891.  The Director is Rita Johnson whose dog, Bayla greeted me the last visit.  Bayla had not accompanied Ms. Johnson to school on this day, however.  Lenoir Rhyne has had an increase in enrollment for the past eight years and is preparing to offer its first doctoral level degree program. Much of the credit (according to Ms. Johnson) goes to retiring president, Dr. Wayne B. Powell

As I was leaving, I mentioned that my next stop was at nearby Catawba Valley Community College.  Ms. Johnson said, “Say hello to Staci for me.”  “Staci” is Staci Wilson, director of the library.  When I visited earlier, she was in a meeting and I missed her once again.  Fortunately, CVCC is near to where I live so I will be able to call again easily. 

In the lobby of the building was a civic-minded woman registering students to vote.  My commendation for her efforts led to a conversation in which it was clear that her motivation was born of a passionate desire to see one of the four candidates elected.  Although she and I do not agree on which candidate should be elected, I am glad she is encouraging people to register and to vote.  I do not agree with those who think abstaining from voting in the current presidential election is somehow the “moral high ground” because of the character of the candidates.  I, too, wish we had a better choice.  But we don’t and choosing a leader is both a right and a responsibility of a free people.

Climbing off my soap box I proceeded toward Wilkesboro and Wilkes Community College.  On the way, I stopped in Oxford for lunch at Sigmon’s Grill.  My brother attended college at Oxford, but that Oxford is in England.  Lunch was a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich served by waitresses who seemed to know every person who entered the restaurant.  The meal was delicious but I was reminded that the season of fresh tomatoes is past.

Wilkes Community College is built on the side of a mountain and I discovered a geological marvel.  It was “uphill” both going and coming to my car!  Rebecca Krueger is in charge of the collection at WCC and while I was waiting for her, I talked with her staff about how GPS-enabled devices have made us “lazy” directionally.  I’m sure my brother would find a sermon illustration in that statement somehow.

My final stop was in Dobson at Surry Community College where I met Dr. David Wright.  He’d been gone when I’d visited the library during the summer and I had looked forward to meeting him because of his expertise in Community Colleges.  He is extremely knowledgeable of both the people and the programs employed by North Carolina’s fifty-eight Community Colleges. 

Driving home, I discovered another physical anomaly.  Whether driving “south” on I-77 or “west” on I-40, the sun was in my eyes!  As I write this, it is raining.  Life is made up of sunny days and rainy days and both are good for us. 

Starting Over

Having just completed my first round of visits to libraries,it is time to start over.  The first visits were in May and for most schools it was the week between graduation and the beginning of summer school.  Consequently, I missed seeing some of the librarians.  As I begin a new round, school is in session and I hope to be able to see all of them.

My first call was at Western Carolina University.  Jessica Zellers is in charge of acquisitions and when I met her, she had her dog, Rev, with her.  He's a miniature Australian Shepherd and reminded me of our family dog, Junior.  Jessica is an Asheville native who traveled to Missouri to work in public libraries.  She was delighted when the Western Carolina position came open and she could return to western Carolina.

Mars Hill University was one of the schools I visited on my very first day.  That day, I missed seeing both the Director, Bev Robertson who was having surgery, and the person in charge of acquisitions, Kristina Blackford, who was on vacation.  Today, however, I got to sit down with both.  Because of their openness, I was able to do my job which is to be the "eyes and ears" of the company.





I traveled back to Asheville and it was after lunchtime so I went to
a local diner called "Little Pigs."  They've been serving both barbeque and their signature "broasted chicken" since 1963.

After lunch I drove to the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, known locally as A-B Tech.  Sue Donato is in charge of buying books but she had gone home for the day when I arrived.








When I visited Warren Wilson during the summer both the director and the man in charge of buying books were gone to Germany.  Both returned safely and were hard at work.  Brian Conlan is a motor cycle enthusiast and juggles the need for books and the demands of budgets.

Montreat College is one of the most beautiful campuses I visit.  It also has a connection to the families of both Billy and Ruth Graham.  In fact, the library is named for Ruth's father.  There is a two-lane stone entrance to Montreat which was under "reconstruction" because someone had tried to squeeze a too-large vehicle into the entrance.






My final stop was at McDowell Technical Community College.  It was rather late in the afternoon when I arrived and Sharon Smith had already gone home but I had a wonderful talk with her assistant, Pat Tallent.  Like me, Pat sees the growing incivility in our world as a product, in part, of the absence of art, music and literature in public education.  She's certainly doing her part to curb that trend.

The End and the Beginning

No, this is not going to be an eschatological blog predicting the end of the world.  On my travels today, I visited the last of my schools and made my first "cold call" on a school we had not helped in some time.  Usually, the reason libraries stop using our services is because of a change in directors of acquisitions.  When that happens, I want to try to introduce our services to a new client.

I began my day with an old friend and the school I have visited most--Barton College.  I had the privilege of meeting with their library staff.  Under the leadership of George Loveland, they are seeking to streamline their work flow in order to free up more time for a momentous task of archiving historical material for the College.  After listening to their questions, I have no doubt they will be able to accomplish the work and make the library more efficient at the same time.  I hope we will be able to help them.





Smithfield is the home of Johnston Community College and was my last, first-time, call.  Jaxie Bryan is the Director and clearly has a strong hand in the direction and future of the library there.  

In the town of Smithfield, I ate lunch at "The Diner" run by Amy and Larry Holt.  Amy waits tables and Larry does the cooking.  I was one of only a few customers and while I was there a "regular" came in and asked, "Where is everybody?"  Larry said, I guess they are all at "Mule Days."  Before I knew it, my curiosity inserted itself into their conversation.  "Did you say, 'Mule Days'?" I asked.  They explained that the nearby town of Benson celebrates "Mule Days" the 4th Saturday of September each year.  The festival draws 40-50,000 people and features rodeos, a mule pulling contest, arts and crafts, vendors, street dances, carnival rides, camping, parades and bluegrass shows. A mule is the offspring of a male donkey (called a 'jack") and a female horse (called a "mare").  Smithfield is a farming

region and mules were used as work animals before the advent of tractors because mules are more patient, hardy and long-lived than horses, and are less obstinate and more intelligent than donkeys.  I say, "they explained." Actually, the "regular" explained.  Larry description of Mule Days was a bit too anatomical for this blog.

My final two stops for the day were my first two "cold calls."  Duke University Law School Library and the Fuqua School of Business Library are side-by-side on the Duke Campus.  At the Law Library I met Shyama Agrawal who is in charge of acquisitions.  Shyama is of Indian descent and my brother-in-law is from Orissa.  We talked some about India and the differences between there and here.  I was unable to see Dave Connelly next door.  Duke University is one of the finest academic institutions in the nation and is sometimes referred to as the "Harvard of the South."  They have, however, a basketball coach whose picture accompanies the word "annoying" in Mr. Webster's Dictionary.   

A Slight Delay

The venerable Bobby Burns said in his poem, "To a Mouse":  “The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley.”  We ordinary English-speakers have adapted that line to say:  "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry."  Such was the case last week. There were four schools I had not yet visited and they were in a near straight line toward the Coast.  My "best-laid plan" was to visit them on my way to a conference of my brother's tribe I was attending last week.  Thus I would, as J. Morgan Ghent wrote in 1632, "kill two birds with one stone."  However, as John Donne wrote in "No Man Is An Island," the bell tolled for a dear friend and I was privileged to attend her homegoing celebration.  She was a dear lady who gave of herself freely and has now received her reward.


I suspect that is quite enough googled literary references for this lifetime.  So I will, as Judge Jesse would say, "cease and desist.

I left immediately following the service for the conference where I spent three days under the instruction of a convictional professor from Indiana and in the company of men and women whose lives are devoted to serving others and sharing the Good News of the Gospel.  It was, needless to say, a worthwhile three days.


I had to return home for responsibilities on Wednesday night so on Thursday morning, I retraced my steps beginning in the town of Hamlet at the Richmond County Community College.  Carolyn Bittle is the Dean of the Library there and,as has been the case so often, she was working at the information desk.  These community college deans and directors are far from administrators alone.  They are all working librarians.  I believe it is, at least in part, because they love books and the people who read them.

My next stop was in Laurinburg at St. Andrews University where I met Mary MacDonald.  I wondered if everyone who worked at a University named after the birthplace of golf in Scotland had to have highlander names.  But on their faculty directory I found names from Austin to Wojtasik so I guest they allow non-Scots to teach.  There was one swimming coach named Burns and eight professors whose names began with "Mc" or "Mac."  Needless to say, the school is proud of it's Scottish heritage.  St. Andrews was founded by the Presbyterian Church and is the product of a merger of an all-male and an all-female school.  They have recently become a campus of Webber International University in Florida and each summer, they host the Governor's School for gifted and talented high school students in North Carolina.  St. Andrews also has a world-class equestrian program.  In addition to many competitive equestrian championships, the school offers a degree in therapeutic riding and preparations for vet school.  My brother rode a horse for much of his ministerial career though I don't believe he ever went to school to learn how.


My next stop was at Bladen Community College near Dublin.  Dublin.  St. Andrews.  Are you seeing a theme here?  The early settlers of this area were from Scotland and Ireland and traveled up the Cape Fear River. It was lunch time so I stopped in at a restaurant named Dowless and Co. in Dublin.  Being unfamiliar with the area, I pulled into the wrong entrance.  It was, however, a fortunateerror because I saw behind the restaurant a man standing at a cooker.  He signaled the direction I should go and after paring in the correct lot, I walked walked around back to meet Lennox the Pit Master for Dowless.  Lennox opened the cooker long enough for me to see about eight pork shoulders which looked ready to eat.  Lennox's experience, however, said they needed another "three hours."  Inside, I found the special of the day to be country-style steak which I ordered with cabbage, field peas and cornbread.  Delicious!  Dublin is in the heart of "peanut country" and the residents were gearing up for the annual peanut festival which began on Saturday.  Sherwin Rice is the director of the library at Bladen CC and is rightfully proud of the work being done by her school for the community.


My final stop was in Whiteville at Southeastern Community College.   Kay Houser is the Director of the library and we had a long conversation about both the changes occurring in libraries and education in general as well as our families.  The day following my visit was Constitution Day.  Kay had made a most-creative window display to celebrate the day.

Speaking of the Constitution, I would like to make a political statement although I am, myself, an undocumented alien:  The next President of the United States will likely appoint three or four justices to the US Supreme Court.  Those appointments will affect the future direction of this country for generations to come.  Please choose wisely. As the Grail Knight said to Indiana Jones:  "You must choose but choose wisely."
  

Real Chili

During my travels with Charlie, he created a list of places I might go whom he had served in the past and could perhaps be helped by a visit from me.  On his advice, I set out this morning to my old stomping grounds in Gastonia.  I stopped first at the Gaston County Public Library and was greeted by an old friend, Bob Biggers.  Bob remembered that he and his band (Darrell and Sonshyne) had played for the rehearsal dinner for my son's wedding.  Bob told me he didn't play much anymore and was planning to retire from working at the Library.  The librarian is Jane Kaylor and she was not there.  Since the Library is so close, I'll stop in to see her another time.

I crossed the South Fork River to Charlotte and the campus of Johnson C. Smith University.  I'd visited this HBCU back in the summer.  JCSU was begun by two Presbyterian ministers as "Freedmen's College" following the Civil War.  The name was changed to Biddle University.  Tonight is the start of the College football season and interestingly, the first black football game was played by Biddle University against Livingstone College in December in Salisbury, N.C. The Golden Bulls earned their first historic victory in what today is called the Commemorative Classic, an annual tradition at JCSU.  Charlie told me he thought we might be able to help the University Bookstore but I met a wonderful woman named Robin Sorenson who informed me that the bookstore was owned by one of our fine competitors--Follett.  I guess that means they won't be ordering from us.  While I was on campus I returned to the James B. Duke Library and met with Julie Reed.  Julie is originally from Oklahoma and is a Cowboy from Stillwater, OK.  I mentioned friends of mine in Bartlesville which is the home of OWU and she has a sister who takes adult education classes at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.  JCSU's mascot is the the Golden Bull.  They kickoff their football season this weekend.

My next stop was in Davidson but it was too close to lunch so I stopped in at Lupie's Cafe.  The original location is near downtown Charlotte and they serve Real Chili.  Most of what passes for chili is really "hamburger soup."  The Texas Chili at Lupies has two ingredients--meat and peppers.  You can add beans or sour cream or cheese but it starts out as real chili.  I was not disappointed to find that the second location had gotten the recipe for both the chili and the cornbread served with it.  The original location was hit by an out-of-control car back in November of last year.  It has reopened but I learned that Lupie retired and both restaurants are being run by her daughter.

Davidson College has a reputation as one of the leading academic institutions in North Carolina.  It is a beautiful campus.  I went to the campus when I was in high school to watch a football game.  My aunt, Myrtle Alexander, was the housemother at one of the fraternities--Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI, for short).  A high school student at a frat house was a dream come true.  But since I was never the scholar my brother was, that was as close to attending Davidson as I ever got.  The E. H. Little Library has been built since I was there so I had to ask directions.  A young student, named Carr, was very kind to show me how to get to the Library and engaged in a polite and adult conversation that included no "ummm's" or "y'know's."  I was impressed by young Carr who is only a Sophomore but is thinking of majoring in Economics.  Alison Bradley is the Librarian and although they currently use another book supplier, she was very cordial and helpful.

Statesville is the home of Mitchell Community College.  It had begun to rain and I seemed to be the only person on campus with an umbrella. Once inside the Library, I was greeted by Beverly Rufty and Courtney Wierckz.  Both are young but have a genuine enthusiasm for helping students learn.







My final stop was in Hudson at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute.  I asked directions of the first person I encountered who happened to be the Director of Student Services.  Consequently, I got a wonderful overview of the school as we walked to the Library.  CCC&TI has a high school on campus that allows highly motivated students to graduate high school with most or all of an Associate's degree.  Once in the Library, I met the new director, Alison Beard.  Although new to the job, Alison is not new to education and I know she will succeed.

It was less than an hour's drive home so I drove through the rain, glad to have spent the day with people who love books and the people who read them.