Librarians

Head librarians play an important role not only for the library but for the whole institution. Directors represent the library to the Board of Trustees, upper management, and the community. 

Martha Cromartie
1947-1951

A. B., Breneau College, 1933; M. A. in English, University of Georgia, 1939; working on M. A. in Library Science, Peabody College, summer 1947;

Wilmington College Center Faculty, 1946-47; Wilmington College Faculty, 1947-1951.

  • Accomplishment: Created Wilmington College Library

Grayce Holland McLamb
1951-1953

A.B. University of North Carolina, 1947; B.S. in Library Science, University of North Carolina, 1949;

University of North Carolina Library, 1947-49, Campbell College Faculty, 1949-50; Wilmington College Faculty, 1950-1953

Bertha B. Todd
1952-1968

A. M. North Carolina College; Williston College 1952-

Accomplishments:

  • First and last librarian to serve Williston College and Williston High School
  • First librarian in Wilmington with the Master's Degree in Library Science
  • Began working at Williston Industrial School immediately after completing her Master's Degree in Library Science
  • Coordinated the first county-wide book fair while at Williston
  • Established, moved, developed and grew the libraries of Williston High School and Williston College until it closed
  • Retired from New Hanover County Schools as an educational administrator

Oral history transcript

Fern Mansfield Mello
1953-1954

B.S. in Education, Boston University, 1951; Graduate work, Simmons College, School of Library Science, 1952

Simmons College School of Social Work Library, Assistant to the Librarian, 1951-52; Wilmington Public Library, Assistant, 1952-53; Wilmington College Librarian, 1953-1954

 

Mildred H. Dorsey
1954-1961

Murray State Teachers College, Murray, Ky, 1928-29; Western State Teachers College, Bowling Green, Ky, 1929-31; Assistant to the Librarian, 1929-31; Western State Teachers College; Louisville Public Library, Extension Department, 1943-45; Librarian Personnel Distribution Command, Greensboro, N.C., 1946-47; Wilmington Public Library Assistant, 1948-53; Wilmington College Librarian, 1954-1961.

Accomplishments:

  • Closed library at Isaac Bear School building
  • Arranged and opened new library at new campus on College Road

William M. Randall
1961-1962

  • Dr. Randall served as librarian and college president for one year

For additional information see:

Dr. William Madison Randall Papers

University of North Carolina Wilmington Presidents and Chancellors Records

Elizabeth G. Freeman
1962-1963

BS, University of North Carolina; BS in Library Science, University of North Carolina.

Helen Hagan
1964-1975

B.A., Georgia State College for Women; B.S. in L.S., George Peabody College; M.S. in L.S., Columbia University

Taught library science at Emory University-hired Louise Jackson a student of hers, instrumental in bringing the library to higher education standards.

President Randall writes to her advising the institution is searching for a librarian and Dr. William Archie highly recommends her.

Accomplishments:

  • Increased general collection to four-year college standards
  • Increased staffing to meet the needs of patrons
  • Switched from Dewey Decimal classification to Library of Congress classification
  • Provided guidance for separate library facility
  • Moved the library from the shared administration/library building into its own building

Oral history transcripts:

Betty Sue Westbrook, Louise Jackson, Ron Johnson

Lenox Gore Cooper, Jr.
1975-1977

A.B., M.S. in Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Accomplishment:

  • OCLC online cataloging

Eugene W. Huguelet
1977-1997

B.A. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; M.A. East Carolina University; M.L.S. Emory University

Accomplishments:

  • Managed addition to library
  • Converting physical to online card catalog system begins
  • Integration of computers

Oral history transcript

Sue Ann Cody (interim)
1997-1999 and 2009-2010

B.S. Ball State University; M.L.S. Indiana University

Sherman L. Hayes
1999-2009

B.A. University of Iowa; M.L.S. Indiana University; M.B.A. Western Michigan University; M.S. Bentley College

Accomplishments:

  • Expanded the collections and space for Special Collections
  • Museum of World Cultures
  • Local artists collection
  • Oral histories
  • Public programs
  • Increased instruction program
  • Java City

Sarah B. Watstein
2010-2017

M.P.A. New York University, M.L.S. University of California Los Angeles

Accomplishments:

  • Ribbon-cutting for Learning Commons
  • Renovation and space-planning for the library building
  • Reconfiguration of public service areas including the Library Help and Circulation Desks
  • Recarpeting of most of the building
  • Digitization of UNCW honors papers
  • Outreach and engagement in grants
  • Accreditation Officer, UNCW

Laura Wiegand (interim)
2017-2018

B.A. Loyola University Chicago; M.L.I.S. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Lucy Holman, D.Ed.
2018-Present

Associate Provost for Teaching, Learning & Library Services and Dean of the UNCW Library

  • Guided library staff returning from Hurricane Florence
  • Oversaw architectural design and construction of 2024 expansion and renovation
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