DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
Our 2024 Year in Review offers a moment to reflect on the year and look ahead. While our mission remains steadfast, our methods evolve to meet the changing needs and behaviors of our users, trends in research and publishing, program growth at East Carolina University®, and the exciting innovations brought by generative artificial intelligence. This year, we introduced new initiatives to support students' well-being, personal growth, and academic success. We expanded our support for open access publishing at ECU®, reinforcing our leadership in this vital area. We also acquired and provided access to new electronic and print resources, ensuring our students and faculty have access to cutting-edge research and an unprecedented amount of primary content. We added educational videos from two prestigious academic publishers, recognizing that some students prefer this format for learning new content. Our campus was enriched by exciting speakers and curated exhibits that educated, inspired, and fostered Pirate™ pride.
These accomplishments are the result of a dedicated team at Academic Library Services. It is my privilege to work with such an exceptional group. Our success is also due to the generosity of supporters like you. Thank you for your contributions of time, talent, and treasure. We hope you enjoy this year in review and invite you to join us in shaping our future.
SPACES TO CELEBRATE
Family Study Room
Our family study room on the second floor opened last year and has continued to serve students, faculty and staff parents and caregivers. Additions and enhancements were made to the room in 2024, as well as more opportunities for campus collaborations and partnerships.
An ECU News Services feature story in May highlighted various ways student-parents feel supported at ECU, including the library's family study room and its benefits.
"The family room in Joyner Library fills each need perfectly to allow me to be an effective parent, student, researcher and active community member, all at the same time." - Caid, ECU student
"It's a great place for me to work on emails and writing while she (daughter) plays. I have worked at a few universities across the country and ECU is the first where I have encountered this type of space specifically for families. We are very thankful for the family room at Joyner Library." - Dr. Lindsey Oakes, assistant professor of recreation sciences
New study options
In the Teaching Resources Center
The Ann Rhem Schwarzmann Production Center in the Teaching Resources Center received a refresh, with new paint and supplies. Creativity is on display as College of Education students and others enhance lesson plans and classroom activities using the button maker, die cuts, laminator, Cricut Maker and other fun and useful resources.
Seen on the first floor
Members of our staff — Jeanne Hoover, Laura Bright, Amy Cooley, William Gee and Sonia Brown — collaborated with the Student Government Association to create a display featuring books about leadership and personal growth in the Ann B. Laliotes Reading Room.
Reading Day at the end of spring semester featured a visit from ECU baseball team members. The research and instructional services area is heavily used during exams — and all year — by students who need research assistance and the convenient printing and scanning services found there.
The library offers growth opportunities for student employees
Student employment is a key way the library contributes to student success. The library employs more than 60 students annually. Circulation assistant Wren Holbrook was featured by ECU News Services, saying that the library "provides a sense of community that every Pirate holds dear even after they graduate and leave."
Another example of impact by student employment in the library is with Allison Davis, who said an on-campus job was one of the best decisions she made at ECU.
Special Collections student employees Jennifer Beatty, Autumn Gollick, Madison Howlett and Brennan Jenkins worked on a variety of projects this year. They wrote a blog post about the unique ways they made archives and manuscript collections more accessible for researchers.
Awards and honors
Extensive research within the library’s Special Collections conducted by James Stroud and Elise White earned them each the Senator Robert Morgan Papers Student Research Award. Their projects are available in The ScholarShip, ECU’s Institutional Repository. White entered the award process while dually enrolled as an ECU first-year student and a junior in the Innovation Early College High School. Stroud was a senior when he submitted his paper, and is now Interlibrary Loan lending and document delivery manager for the library while also enrolled in the ECU Master of Library Science program.
Student Awards Ceremony
Recipients of two additional awards were recognized in May. The Friends of the Library sponsor the W. Keats Sparrow Award. Marie Thompson sponsors the Marie and James Thompson Student Employee Award. Congratulations to all of the recipients!
W. Keats Sparrow Writing Awards:
- 1st place - Evan Lloyd, nursing
- 2nd place - Billy Gordon, history
- 3rd place - Owen Jones, nursing
Marie & James Thompson Student Employee Awards:
- Kelley Burton, chemistry
- Khaliyah Cheek, recreational therapy
- Michaela Hoots, maritime studies
- Peyton Rogers, psychology
EVENTS AND EXHIBITS
Paraprofessional Conference
The ECU Academic Library Services Paraprofessional Conference celebrated 20 years!
The 2024 Paraprofessional Conference provided 16 sessions to nearly 350 in-person and virtual participants. Dr. Kawanna Bright, assistant professor of library science and past chair of the Faculty Senate libraries committee, presented the keynote address to kick off the conference's theme of engagement and assessment. Congratulations to the SHRA Assembly, which created the conference and has led it for 20 years!
Capturing the Carolinas: A year of photography exhibits at the library
The summer months saw library employees enjoy the "For the Love of Birds" North Carolina-based exhibit, curated by electronic resources librarian Rebecca Tatterson. An exhibit reception included Tatterson discussing the colorful, authentic and entertaining images shot by her on a Canon EOS Digital camera using a Tamron 150-600 mm lens. Audience members also had the opportunity to ask questions and were entertained by her "birding" passion and hobby.
Alzheimer's Fantasies collaborations
“Alzheimer’s Fantasies” of nearly 30 uniquely colored drawings and digital prints honored the late Susan Lynne Dorsey, who retired from the library in 2012. The exhibiting artist was Michael A. Dorsey, Professor Emeritus in the School of Art and Design. Michael described his work as a visual conversation to himself while serving as a caregiver for his wife. Five of the pieces were sold, with profits benefiting the North Carolina Alzheimer’s Association. On Oct. 3, an Alzheimer’s and dementia resource fair was held in the library, co-sponsored by the Office of Healthy Aging, and followed by the exhibit artist reception and talk.
Special Collections news feature: A biography written about North Carolina’s first congresswoman, Jane Pratt, and author talk led to an ECU News feature about the five units that form ECU Special Collections and their collective impact. An author talk and reception was held at ECU’s main campus library in late-September.
"I came down and spent a lot of time down here going through the collections. ECU’s Special Collections team was extremely helpful as I conducted my research for my manuscript to publish." - Marion Deerhake, author of "Jane Pratt : North Carolina's first congresswoman"
SUPPORT AND IMPACT
Expanding access
ECU Libraries is committed to making access to research more sustainable, affordable, and open. As part of this commitment, we provide funding for open access publishing, and establish agreements with publishers. Our agreement with Wiley is an example of our success: the number of open access publications by ECU authors in Wiley journals grew from 27 in 2022 to more than 115 in 2023-24. ECU researchers can access discounts for numerous other publishers as well. A complete list is available on the Sustainable Scholarship website.
Interlibrary loan is another way we expand access. For example, interlibrary loan borrowing manager Arwen Parris facilitated a unique book loan to Meekins Library in Williamsburg, Mass. In a thank you note, a Meekins librarian wrote: “Our patron, who spent years aboard various tall ships, thoroughly enjoyed reading this spectacular, in-depth book on seamanship. We appreciate the reality of library systems across the country willing to loan out rarely read volumes, making it possible for our patrons to be continue to be hopeful in the quest for books that are hard to find and out of state.”
Hundreds of items were purchased for Special Collections, the North Carolina Collection and the Ronnie Barnes Collection. Highlights include early editions of novels and works by authors, ranging from Zora Neale Huston to H.P. Lovecraft, and a collection of artists’ books that will provide subjects of study for students in book arts and papermaking classes.
Library addressing AI literacy needs
New LibGuide: A creative team including project leaders Amy Cooley, Brandon Stilley, Bryna Coonin and David Hisle launched “A Guide to Artificial Intelligence for Students." The guide is filled with content, images and insight into AI uses and student success. There also is a faculty tab that includes classroom and research best practices, and additional resources. The LibGuide also covers include image generation, ethical concerns, AI tools and citations.
Library instruction: Library faculty are offering instruction modules on how to select and use Generative AI tools, evaluate Gen AI output, and consider implications such as privacy, ethics, and environmental concerns. Faculty in disciplines ranging from construction management to library science have taken advantage of librarians’ expertise with evaluating information and using it ethically to help their students become more AI literate.
Sharing expertise: Many library faculty and staff have incorporated Gen AI into their research and service. They have presented at library forums, Office for Faculty Excellence workshops, regional conferences and other venues, and worked with campus groups to establish AI use guidelines.
National research project: The two-year Making Artificial Intelligence Generative for Higher Education (MAIGHE) research project at ECU, with a team led by Academic Library Services Director Jan Lewis, helps determine how institutions of higher education can incorporate artificial intelligence into teaching, research and administrative activities. The team has completed focus groups and interviews with faculty and researchers at ECU. This qualitative research helped the team identify peer-to-peer learning and discipline-specific use cases as critical ways to expand Gen AI integration at ECU.
Student feedback: During the fall semester, Amy Cooley and Brandon Stilley conducted a research survey to learn more about student experiences using generative AI. They look forward to sharing the results during spring 2025.
In the community
The library's Stewardship Committee schedules ALS community service events and establishes and strengthens relationships with community groups. Activities included street cleanups, student move-in assistance, turkeypalooza, sustainability events, a transcribathon and western North Carolina Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Committee members coordinated collection drives for holiday toys, professional clothing, adult foster care items, school supplies and other community needs.
Allison Kaefring and Laura Bright are co-chairs of the Staff Development Committee. The annual staff development day featured the following awards presented. Also included is details from their award nomination:
- Effective leadership, Tomeka Jernigan:“Tomeka has shown so many great leadership skills since she has been here, but one thing that I have been especially thankful for is the way she took up student hiring during the vacancy in that position. We are so grateful for her effective leadership in this area!”
- Enhancing morale, Charlotte Fitz-Daniels: "Charlotte planned and carried out a beautiful holiday luncheon for ALS and housekeeping employees, ALS retirees, and members of the board of directors of the Friends of the Library. The decorations were beautiful, the food was delicious (and there was plenty of it!), and many people remarked on the relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere."
- Outstanding delivery of service, Jan Mayo: "Jan is currently serving on the Faculty Senate appellate committee as well as the library's personnel committee. She has served in these unsung service roles multiple times over the years. Jan is thoughtful and conscientious as she works for the benefit of her colleagues."
- Outstanding delivery of service, Kayla Hathaway: “Kayla has gone above and beyond to help with issues that have come up in Kronos. She has also ensured that the student hiring process is a breeze for both myself and the students. I would truly be lost without her help.”
- Display of creativity and/or initiative, Patrick Cash: "Patrick took a nascent idea about a football exhibit and grew it to something much larger and more comprehensive than anyone expected. It has drawn interest from students, alumni, news outlets and countless ECU football fans. The exhibit has become a wonderful way of highlighting the history of ECU held in Special Collections."
In 1975, Ronnie Barnes became the first African American graduate of the ECU sports medicine program. In 1976, he joined the New York Giants organization as an athletic training intern and 5 years later was promoted to the role of head athletic trainer. He is widely recognized as one of the most esteemed athletic trainers in professional sports. In 1999, Barnes was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame. Barnes and his team were recipients of the prestigious Ed Block Courage Award as the NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year in 1999 and 2023. In 2022, he was inducted into the Giants' Ring of Honor and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Barnes also is a member of the ECU Athletics Hall of Fame and recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award. Barnes currently is the Giants' senior vice president of medical services and head athletic trainer.
In 2024, Barnes added another distinction to his distinguished career when he was keynote speaker at the ECU spring commencement ceremony. When she heard that Barnes would be the speaker, ALS Library Director Jan Lewis immediately reached out to invite him to visit our library and see the Ronnie Barnes African American Resource Center, which Barnes established with an endowment he created in 2001. Barnes enthusiastically agreed to the visit and to meet Lewis – whom he knew only through phone calls and emails. Barnes visited the library the day before commencement, graciously spending time with students and library employees, in addition to viewing the center.
While at the library, Barnes mentioned he had not been able to find the commemorative brick on campus with his name. In a display of initiative and customer service common to library employees, Kayla Hathaway and Analise Watts searched the Cupola area until they found the brick! Lewis later texted a photo of it to Barnes, who expressed his appreciation for this act of kindness.
Since the Ronnie Barnes African American Resource Center was established, it has grown to include more than 1,500 titles on topics such as social issues, biographies, memoirs, religion, cookbooks, self-help, fiction, poetry, arts, culture and media. New additions are featured briefly on first floor, before moving to the center’s permanent location in the North Carolina Collection. Through Barnes’ generous gift and vision 23 years ago, the center continues to grow and provide resources about the legacy and future of African Americans in eastern North Carolina and the Southeast. Thank you, Ronnie Barnes!
Pictured right: Joyner Library student employee Analise Watts showed Barnes a display of new books from the Ronnie Barnes African American Resource Center.
THE FRIENDS OF JOYNER LIBRARY
The Friends of Joyner Library is the oldest Friends group at East Carolina University.
The group was established in 1978 to promote our library as a university and community resource. Through advocacy and fundraising, the Friends promote student success, support library staff development and provide funding to enhance and preserve unique collections. library.ecu.edu/friends
Available Prints
The Friends have historic maps of eastern North Carolina and prints available to purchase at $25 each, including of the Wright Building landmark located in the heart of ECU main campus. Proceeds from sales go to the Friends of Joyner Library.
Gift planning
Planned gifts can provide long-lasting support for Joyner Library while enjoying financial benefits for yourself. To gain greater detail about these planned giving options, which can include tax benefits and beneficiary designation, as well as learn about membership in the Leo W. Jenkins Society, explore the gift planning website by University Advancement.
Supporting Joyner Library is another way to bolster our important work across Pirate Nation™. We are grateful for the many library supporters who share their time, talent and resources to ensure our students have the tools they need to succeed!
Thank you to our donors:
- Mary Alice Arnold
- Kristopher and Alyssa Arnold
- Ernest Avery Jr.
- Alan Bailey
- Crystal Baity
- Ruth and Charles Barco III
- Vauclain Barnes
- Roy and Jackie Barnhill
- Craig and Camilla Becker
- Steven Benko
- Kathryn Birke
- Kay and John Blizzard Jr.
- Kim Brewington
- David Britt
- Carol Brown
- Kelley Burton
- Thomas Campbell
- Estelia and Leon Carney
- Patrick Cash
- Suzanne and Adam Clark
- Robin Coger
- Jennifer and Michael Daugherty
- Delores Davis
- Jonathan and Carol Dembo
- Phillip R. Dixon P. A.
- Neil and Donna Dorsey
- Kaye and William Dotson
- Patricia Dragon and John Given III
- Cheryl Dudasik-Wiggs and Sefton Wiggs
- Christine and Douglas Duer
- Edward Ellis Jr.
- Martha and William Elmore
- Michael Enright
- Charlotte Fitz-Daniels
- Thomas Flynn
- Juli and Thompson Forbes III
- Jennifer Ford
- Bonnie and Robert Gaddis
- Nell Garner
- Charles William Gee
- Rebecca Geertz
- Dillon Godley
- Meredith and Michael Goins
- Carmen Gonzalez
- Andrew Grace
- GTCB Enterprises LLC
- Bart Halbert
- Theresa and Ricky Hardy
- Stephanie Hedgepeth
- Brian Henry
- Joyce and James Holloway
- William Holman
- Melvin and Lois Hoot
- Cynthia Hoover
- Jeanne Hoover
- Estate of Rachel B Hord
- Lawrence and Caroline Houston
- Margaret Hudson
- Elizabeth and Robert Hughes IV
- David Hursh
- Harold and Jo Ann Jones
- Plummer Alston Jones Jr.
- Donna Keith
- Hyunseo Kim
- Deborah Kornegay
- Ann Laliotes
- Joseph Lee
- Alpha Levesque
- Jan and Evan Lewis
- Benjamin Lewis
- Brenda Lewis
- Charlene Loope
- Frances Mallison
- Laura and Kevin Mangum
- The Mattamuskeet Foundation, Inc.
- Ann and Arthur Maxwell Jr.
- Janet Mayo
- Marian and Richard McLawhorn III
- Alice and Edward Moore
- Cecilia Moore-Cobb
- Samuel Newell
- Judith and William Neville II
- Michelle and Daniel Overby
- Spencer Parris
- Donald and Vicki Peel
- Amanda and Greg Peterson
- James Philips
- Laurel Purvis
- Linda and Brandon Quick
- Mary Raab
- John and Michele Reisch
- Johnnee and Danny Rice III
- William Rowland
- Mark Sanders
- Todd Savitt
- Francis and Ann Scalzi
- Gregg Schwitzgebel
- Rejeanor and Carl Scott
- Claire and Edgar Shields Jr.
- Carole and John Smith Jr.
- M. Smith
- Christopher and Samantha Smith
- Rita Soulen
- Jack and Mary Spain
- Millie and Destry Sparks
- Ruth and Royce Shingleton Jr.
- Benjamin Speller Jr.
- Michele Stephenson
- Michael and Alice Taylor
- Dwain Teague
- Linda and Joseph Teel
- Christine Tepper
- William Thomas
- Marie Thompson
- Mary Thornton
- Samuel Tomlin III and Sharon Hershey
- Hailey Toy
- Lathan Turner
- Jill Twark
- George and Jane Wang
- Beth and Charles Ward Sr.
- James and Cynthia Wease
- Harroll H. (Nick) and Charlotte Weaver
- Kathryn and Michael Webb
- Ilet Wells
- James and Sherry Westmoreland
- Judith Whichard
- Brenda and Donald White
- Heather White
- Angela and Kendrick Whitehurst
- Luther Williams Jr.
- Carolyn Willis
- H Willoughby-Harris
- Elizabeth and Dennis Winstead
- Richard Wolfe and Joanne Kollar
- Ronnie Woodward
- Harvey Wooten
- Victoria Young
Credits:
Created with images by ECU News photography and library resources. 2024 YIR Created by Ronnie Woodward - ECU's Main Campus Library - library.ecu.edu, Adobe photos used: - Pexels - "laptop hands gadgets" • geralt - "digitization of library electronic digitizing ebook" • Wokandapix - "equity diversity unity" • Hermann - "books education school" • TheDigitalArtist - "instagram social media symbol" • TheDigitalArtist - "facebook social media communication" • TheDigitalArtist - "twitter tweet social" -