Elizabeth Moon Proctor Scholarship Fund

 

    The library world, and especially Madison Public Library, was well served when Betsy Proctor chose to pursue librarianship as a second career.  Betsy enriched and enlivened Madison Public Library from 1967 until her retirement in 1996. Betsy inspired many library careers through her intelligent and tireless dedication to public library service, her commitment to outreach and services to minority and institutionalized populations, her irrepressible, infectious laughter and her enduring friendships.To encourage and assist Madison Public Library employees who plan careers in library and information studies, family and friends established the Elizabeth Moon Proctor Scholarship fund in Betsy’s memory.  

    Kimberly Williams is the recipient of the second-annual scholarship, awarded this year. She is pursuing her studies in the School of Library & Information Studies at the UW Madison.  The Madison Public Library has employed Kimberly in different capacities since 1996.  She currently is an Administrative Clerk at Central Library.  Kimberly is honored to be the recipient of the Elizabeth Moon Proctor Scholarship for 2008.

    According to Kimberly, “There are no shortcuts to life’s greatest achievements!  When I interviewed for a clerk position on the chilly 3rd of January, 1996 for a Madison Public Library position, Betsy Proctor was one of the interviewees on the panel.  Shortly thereafter, I believe she retired.  She, and all the others, must have liked my charisma, because I’ve been here now for over a decade, and during this time the library has given me a solid foundation to start building my roots for career development and the advantage to work with an exceptional group of intelligent professionals.  Being a young, single mother at the age of 17, I never thought I’d make it to where I am today, a Graduate Student in Library Science!  This is a major achievement for me, and an excellent example for my family and friends that determination and persistence makes things happen.  And with that I extend a truly heartfelt thank you to the MPL Foundation Committee members and on behalf of Betsy Proctor’s legacy for selecting  ‘Lil’ Ol’ Me’ as the recipient of the Betsy Proctor Foundation Award.  One of my goals is to be an official graduate of the SLIS program by 2010 and this award will definitely contribute to the tuition, books and materials necessary to achieve my goal.  Thanks to one and all for believing in me. In the words of Kobi Yamada, remember, 'Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down'.”

The 2008 Elizabeth Moon Proctor Scholarship was presented on September 15, at the Lakeview Branch Library. For information on establishing a scholarship or endowment fund, please contact us.