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Diggs endowment provides for SILS library
Oct. 6, 2009—Growing up in rural Virginia, Timothy Diggs and his brothers immersed themselves in books at an early age. The family put a high value on reading, and Diggs had access to thousands of books at home and at the library where his mother was librarian. A self-professed bibliophile, he was reading Edgar Allen Poe by the time he was in fourth grade.
Armed with a great love for books and an intense understanding of the importance of reading, Diggs worked with the School of Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to establish the “Helen Neighbours Diggs Endowment for Collections Support in the School of Information and Library Science.” The initial endowment is for $21,000 with $11,000 in matching funds from the Shell Oil Company Foundation. It is intended to support the acquisition of books and materials, preservation of the books or other needs of the Library.
“I always hoped that I would someday be able to help replace or repair books that were tattered, or purchase new books, media or whatever is needed for the library,” said Diggs. “Now that I can provide a gift, it was logical that the SILS library would be the best place to honor my mother, as this is where she spent time studying to become a librarian and she has always had a love for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.”
Helen Neighbours was pursuing her bachelor’s degree in English at UNC at Chapel Hill in the late 1940s and was on the way to the library when she became re-acquainted with Henry Diggs who was also a student at UNC. “We were both from the same small town in Saltville, Virginia who happened to meet again in Chapel Hill,” said Mrs. Diggs. On the Christmas Eve following graduation in 1949, they married in the Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill. The couple moved to Smithfield, NC where Helen became head librarian at the Cleveland School. She also worked the summer bookmobile program in the Johnston County Public Library—taking books and collections to rural towns throughout the county. Eventually, they moved back to Saltville where Helen worked as the elementary school librarian - while rearing three sons and teaching several English classes. After moving to Portsmouth, VA, she took classes in her spare time from professors traveling from Chapel Hill who participated in the School’s unique, field-based library media program designed for those already in the field. She returned to UNC at Chapel Hill for two summers for her master’s in library science, completing her degree in 1983.
Before retiring from her position as librarian at Erwin Middle School in Bumcomb County, NC, Helen served as a librarian and educator for 29 years. She has been involved with setting up libraries, working in a bookmobile, reading and educating students and the public nearly all of her life.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Diggs are honored and proud of Timothy’s actions to create an endowment.
“I feel quite humble that our son has done this,” said Mrs. Diggs. “I can hardly take it in. He told me he made the endowment in my name because I taught him to learn to love to read.”
“This is one of the finest things that has happened to our family,” said Henry Diggs. “It is well deserved. Helen has done a tremendous amount of work helping so many to learn over the years, and always contributing above and beyond what is expected. We’re so proud that this gift has gone to Carolina in her name. We loved the time we spent there.”
SILS librarian, Rebecca Vargha, is grateful for the endowment which she says will significantly enhance her ability to add to the collection in the SILS Library, with initial acquisitions in the area of folklore and fairy tales.
“Because of this gift, we can grow the collection and provide resources that will be used by generations of students to come,” said Vargha. “The outstanding generosity of Timothy Diggs leaves a wonderful legacy to our students—those who will be our future librarians and information specialists.”
The first purchase from the endowment is the three volume 905 page set, Storytelling: An Encyclopedia of Mythology and Folklore edited by Josepha Sherman and published by M.E. Sharpe; illustrated edition (August 11, 2008). The books will be especially useful for those taking courses in children’s literature.
Although Diggs did not request it, nor was he aware of the title of the purchase beforehand, he was pleasantly surprised to learn the acquisition was for mythology and folklore. “Folklore is a hobby of mine,” said Diggs. “I’ve been collecting books on folklore and fairytales from my travels for several years.” As a geologist with Shell International Exploration and Production Inc., Diggs’ work takes him to all parts of the world. He has collected books on folklore from countries such as Scotland, Ireland, Russia, Norway and many more.
Diggs plans to continue to make an annual contribution to the “Helen Neighbours Diggs Endowment for Collections Support in the School of Information and Library Science.” Others who are interested in supporting the SILS Library may make additional donations to the endowment either by gift or bequest. For more information, please contact the School at 919.843.8337.
About Shell Oil Company Foundation
The Shell Oil Company Foundation, founded in 1953, is one of the nation's leading company-sponsored foundations. During its more than 50-year existence, the Foundation has contributed upward of $500 million to help foster the general well-being of communities where Shell employees live and work. Contributions have enabled non-profit organizations to grow, encouraged arts and cultural areas to flourish, advanced medical research and sustainable development, helped children achieve academic success, trained teachers, and engendered opportunities for diversity and equal opportunity.