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Friends of the UNCG Libraries Elect New Officers

The Friends of the UNCG Libraries elected new officers at their recent annual meeting, which featured John Shelton Reed discussing his new book Dixie Bohemia, about the New Orleans literary scene in the 1920s. Outgoing chair Howard E. Covington, Jr. served as master of ceremonies at the event, attended by 248 members and other attendees.  Funds raised at the dinner support the University Libraries, and a special drive was initiated to renovate the landscaping in front of Jackson Library on the UNCG campus.

Ms. Billie Durham
The new Chair of the Friends is Billie Durham of Asheboro. She is retired from UNCG’s Library and Information Studies Program, which she joined in 2004 as an adjunct instructor, becoming an Assistant Professor and School Library Media Program Coordinator in 2008. She holds the MLS degree from UNCG. Durham’s background includes 17 years as a school library media specialist in Randolph County and five years as a public services librarian at Montgomery Community College. In addition, she served six years as English as a Second language Coordinator for the Montgomery County Board of Education. She has served as a member of the State Library's Library Services and Technology Act {LSTA) Advisory Committee, and currently serves on the Board of Trinity Music Academy.  Durham is married to Carey Durham, CFO/Director of Corporate Services of Hospice of Randolph County and they have one son.

Dr. Karl Schleunes

The new Vice-Chair/Chair Elect is Karl Schleunes of Greensboro, Professor Emeritus of History at UNCG, where he specialized in Modern German History and the Holocaust.  Schleunes taught for 45 years, including 39 years at UNCG.  Major publications include The Twisted Road to Auschwitz: Nazi Policy toward German Jews, 1933-1939 and Legislating the Holocaust: The Bernhard Loesener Memoirs.  An avid library user and supporter, Schleunes is also a collector of travel accounts by American travelers to the Holy Land (Palestine) during the 19th century and the early 20th century (up to 1948).  He is married to the Brenda Schleunes, Founder and Director of the Touring Theatre of North Carolina.  They have one daughter and two grandchildren.  Schleunes notes that he has been a denizen of UNCG’s Jackson Library since the tower went up in 1973, and can often be found there working in his faculty study on the 8th floor.

Newly elected to the Board for three year terms were Kate Barrett and Mae Douglas of Greensboro.  Re-elected to a second term were Robin Sutton Anders, David Arneke, Ned Cline, Carol Douglas, Nancy Fuller, and Jim Schlosser, all of Greensboro. 

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