Vol. 92, Issue 3
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Campus
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NCCU
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NCCU hires new library director
George C. Grant served for 22 years as editor of the Newsletter of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.
By Shirley Faulkner-Springfield
Echo staff writer
Two years after resuming full-time responsibilities at his publishing
company, editor and publisher George C. Grant has resumed his career as
director of the James E. Shepard Memorial Library.
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He is president and founder of FOUR-G Publishers, Inc., which started in Winter Park, Florida in 1990. According to Grant, he will relocate his company to Durham.
Grant recently completed 22 years as editor of the Newsletter of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.
His professional profile lists him as director or assistant director of libraries in Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, and Illinois and as librarian in Illinois and Tennessee.
Shepard Library had been without a director since Dec. 31, when Dr. Floyd C. Hardy retired after 15 years of service.
Deborah Hazel, reference librarian and Veola Williams, serials librarian, served as interim co-directors from Jan. 7 to Sept. 14.
“The experience was very rewarding, and I appreciate the opportunity to have served as director,” said Hazel. “The staff was very supportive and everyone worked together.”
Grant, who helped develop libraries at other institutions, hopes the team concept continues at Shepard. He says some changes will occur, and “those things that are broken will be fixed, and those things that are not broken will be impressed upon.”
One concern on Grant’s agenda is the lack of primary sources at the library.
“Core material should be found here, and students should visit other libraries to get supplemental material,” said Grant. “I will assure that NCCU will provide core materials for its students.”
This year, Grant will develop a program that identifies students’ needs and enhances their abilities to successfully conduct research.
“I will ask professors if students’ research papers reflect their abilities to successfully conduct research,” said Grant. “If they do not, then the staff will help students become more efficient library users.”
Grant’s principle components are collections, services, facilities and staffing.
He obtained a Ph.D. in library administration from the University of
Pittsburgh, and interned in library management at Yale University.
Grant is married to Alice Morgan Grant. The couple has two daughters,
Genine and Melanie.