LIBRARIAN

Emily S. Boyce 
Life history 

Growing up on a peanut/cotton farm in Eastern North Carolina, she attended East Carolina University where she received a Bachelor degree in library science and history and a Master’s degree in counseling.  Later, she received the MLS degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  

Before joining the faculty at ECU, she was a school librarian and a children’s’ librarian in a public library.  She also worked in the Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh supervising all school libraries in North Carolina. She joined the newly created Department of Library Science in 1966.  She served as the Chair of the Department beginning in 1980.  Ms. Boyce worked with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for many years, serving on the Elementary Committee for three terms.  After serving as Chair of the Department, the Chancellor assigned her to help prepare the University report for the regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). 

After retiring in 1992 and moving to the Asheville area, she started a new career as a community volunteer. Emily volunteered in the Foundation office, Mission Hospitals System, served on the Board of Directors of the Botanical Gardens and served as President of the Board of the Mediation Center.  She was elected as President of the Board for the YWCA in 1995.  In this position she initiated a successful campaign to prevent the YWCA from closing.  Emily also served as President of the Board of the Literacy Council and served on the Board of the Asheville Branch, American Association of University Women.  On the state level, she was the Governor’s appointee as chair of the State Library Commission and Chaired the Library Services & Technology Act Advisory Committee for the State library from 1997-1999.  

During her career, Emily was honored by a number of organizations.  In 1998 the North Carolina Association of School Librarians presented her with the Mary Peacock Douglas Award.  This award recognizes outstanding efforts in promoting the development of school libraries.  In 1992 the NC Community College Learning Resources Association presented her with an Achievement Award as well as life membership in appreciation of outstanding service.  The North Carolina Library Association presented her with life membership in appreciation of notable contributions to librarianship at the local, state and national levels (1993).  At ECU, she is in the Educators Hall of Fame and received an Outstanding Educators Award (1994) The Baha’is of Asheville honored Emily in 1997 as they presented her with the 17^th annual Human Rights Award for the promotion and practice of social progress and protection of basic human rights.  

When Emily retired from East Carolina in 1992, her former students, colleagues and friends established a scholarship in her name.  An award from this fund goes each year to a deserving student who is working towards a Master’s degree in Information Studies.  At the same time the Department and School voted to grant her the title of Professor Emeritus.

Emily S. Boyce,  Ruth M Katz and Connie Mellon. “The Place of Bibliographic Instruction in the University Curriculum.” In Mellon, C. (Ed.) Bibliographic Instruction: The Second Generation. Littleton, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1987.

Mellon, Connie and Emily Boyce. “School Library Standards: A Force for Change in Library Services for Children and Young Adults.” Journal of Youth Services in Libraries 6:2 (Winter 1993), 128-138.

Also visit: 

www.coe.ecu.edu/ltdi/ltdi_department_chair/ [Short biography of Emily as Chair of the Department of Library Science at East Carolina University; includes picture]

 www.soe.ecu.edu/fame/details.cfm?id=60  [Notes Emily's inclusion in the ECU Educators Hall of Fame.]

www.coe.ecu.edu/ltdi/mls/MLS scholarship/MLS scholarship.htm [Description of the Emily S. Boyce Fellowship Award.]