Lambuth College - Lantern Yearbook (Jackson, TN)

Page 9 text:

Miss Katharine Clement, a part of Lambuth since 1924, is explicitly described in the quo- tation. Indeed, Miss Clement ' s most enduring and apparent trait is her humanitarian concern for students and for Lambuth College. From the wide range of positions she has served in her forty years, the depth and the variety of her experiences and knowledge becomes evident. She has taught both French and Latin, sponsored the French Club, directed plays, and taught several literature courses. This year she taught French and library science. Since the formation of Lambuth ' s library in 1939, Miss Clement, serving as its director, was responsible for its organization and build-up, for the benefit of students and faculty. Extremely sensitive to the feelings of those around her, Miss Clement has been, and re- mains, a great favorite of those students who have the opportunity of knowing her. Her charm and intelligence allow them to realize the extent of her humor, which is dry and ironic with all types of individuals. Miss Clement lives with her sister, Miss Sarah V. Clement, professor in the English De- partment. Both ladies are active members of Lambuth Memorial Methodist Church. Miss Katharine is also active in the Shakespeare Club, American Association of University Women, Omicron Phi Tau, and Lambda Iota Tau. At the University of Tennessee, where she re- ceived her A.B. degree, Miss Clement was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, honorary scholastic fraternity, and of Chi Omega social fraternity. Starting with a few books in an unused classroom on the second floor of the Administra- tion Building back in 1939, Miss Clement has built the library to its present status of a four story building and more than 35,000 volumes. This phenomenon was accomplished wi$h very limited financial resources and a severely limited staff: one adult and student help. The adult was often Miss Sarah V. Clement. It was only within the last ten years that Miss Clement has had a full time assistant, Miss Ruth Marr. Before this time Miss Clement was librarian, cataloguer, professor, and her own secretary. She worked at Lambuth during the semester sessions and attended Peabody in the summer to obtain her degree in library science. Without her wise selection of books, her pragmatic organization of the library and its cataloguing system, she could not have accomplished as much as she did. Due to her efforts, Lambuth College has a large library, adequate to the present needs of the majority of stu- dents in the most common, most used areas of study and concentration. Her devotion and loyalty to Lambuth College are beyond question. Her ability to see real issues and to understand the profundities of a situation enable her to be an example of Lam- buth College at its best and most ideal. It is in recognition of her many fine qualities that the editor chooses to dedicate the 1964 LANTERN to Miss Katharine Clement.

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... the librarian who works (in a small library) should have a breadth of interests and a range of capabilities far beyond the possession of the average person. He cannot seclude himself in a far corner of a cataloguing room or in the depths of the reference department. He must be con- stantly on call. He must, therefore, like people. This is a trite phrase, but it is an accurate summing up of the most important element in the make-up of the librarian. No amount of knowledge and no familiarity with books will make a person a conveyor or purveyor of that knowledge to others unless he enjoys and cultivates human contacts. A college library deals with a homogeneous group of young people, full of vitality and of eagerness to learn, with a generous sprinkling of a desire for other things than learning. It also deals with a group of highly-trained scholars in the persons of the faculty members. The college librarian should sympathize with the first group, and understand the second if he is to succeed in his work . . . It can truly be said . . . that nothing human is alien to the librarian, and any knowledge of books or people acquired during his previous life is bound to be useful at some point . . . Added to this knowledge of library science, the college librarian must have knowledge and understanding of the institution he serves. He should know its history, the achievements of its faculty and alumni, and the nature of its student body. Helen Sheehan. THE SMALL COLLEGE LIBRARY Westminster, Md., Newman Press, 1963. Pp. 7-10. Katherine Clement A.B., A.M., B.S., in L.S. Miss Clement in the library with Dr. Gordon Finnic She is aware of the bibliographic needs of the faculty and helps them in book selection. Adelfa Acosta, a student worker, and Miss Clement at the library desk.

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■ ■:■■■■:■ ::■:■■■• ;::■:.■■:■:■ ■ ■■.■ ■■■■■■■■■ ■ ■ :, . :■■■: ■ «««» — M Mrs. J. B. Carpenter Sorrow is turned into acceptance as we gradually accept the passing of one who so elo- quently added a dimension to the Christian faith through her life. The few months which we shared with Mrs. Carpenter seem to stretch indefinitely into the past and future. Her influence which touched so many lives did not cease when she left us, but will re- main with us and will most certainly reach into other lives through us. As a person Mrs. Carpenter achieved something which most of us fail to do: she accepted all people. Time was no object with her. Not one person who needed attention was neg- lected. In Harris Hall Mrs. Carpenter ' s door was always open. However trivial a problem brought to her, she treated it with great concern. Maintenance and repairs were given im- mediate consideration. Room inspection was carried out with precision. Medical supplies were made readily available Her trips up and down the stairs to care for ailing students were innumerable. Her car was available to anyone who needed it. Mrs. Carpenter ' s love and concern extended past the girls in Harris Hall to all students on campus. She was probably the most available chaperone for campus affairs. She en- couraged fun and laughter. She was a constant friend and companion to those with whom she worked. A note of cheer surrounded Mrs. Carpenter wherever she went. Many occasions prompted floral decorations from her skillful hands. She was once called the official flower arranger for Lambuth. Evidence of her artistic talent was often seen in Harris Hall, in the Chapel, at banquets in the cafeteria and in Wisdom Parlor. Dorm meetings were full of surprises when she had the floor. She listened quite attentively to our complaints, but her answer was al- ways tactful and judicious. Mrs. Carpenter ' s interests were by no means limited to activities on our campus. The girls in Harris Hall shared their dorm mothers with many others. She remained active in the Lam- buth Dames and in church activities. She carried her concern for people into her work as nurse at Lakeshore Methodist Camp. Numerous aches and pains became less serious when confronted by her warm smile and efficient service. Mrs. Carpenter achieved a fortune in life which far exceeded that of material wealth. She lived a life of unselfishness. As we meditate on this life, we can only feel a simple thankfulness for a life so full of love, a life through which light truly shone. Our greatest tribute to her memory is to emulate those virtues which she so nobly expressed through her life.