Previously serving as the head of Information/Reference Services, Evelyn Blount is now the new interim library director. “Both the students and faculty have been wonderful to serve in my capacity as interim library director and as head of Information/Reference Services,” said Blount, who succeeded Mary Ellen Chijioke when the latter retired in December.

Blount graduated from Elizabeth State University, where she received her B.S. in elementary education. Though she received her degree in education, she has always wanted to work in a library.

“When I was an undergraduate student, I worked in the library as a student worker, and I really enjoyed the work,” said Blount. “That is when I realized that I would like to pursue a career working in libraries.”

It was her instructor in media education who encouraged her to get an M.L.S. degree in library science, which she pursued at North Carolina Central University.

Before coming to Guilford, Blount worked in several university libraries including Elizabeth State, North Carolina A&T, Fayetteville State, as well as the library at North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham.

Transitioning from state-funded libraries to Guilford, Blount currently faces the challenges of budget cuts. The library had to give back some of the library book funds in the budget and they will also not be able to fill the electronic resources librarian position that had been advertised for this semester.

Besides budgeting, Blount is responsible for overall management and administration, program development, and external relations.

Her latest project involves an interlibrary loan service that allows the Guilford community to make their own requests for resources online.

Previously, requests were made through the Hege Library staff; the adjustment allows the students, faculty, and staff to go directly to the source. Hoping to have this service available by spring break, Blount’s advice to the Guilford community is to be patient while her staff works hard to make this service available.

Despite the easy access of online research, Blount feels that the library averages the same number of students who want to get help in person.

“Some students have indicated that they much better luck using the library’s technology as opposed to their own technology at home,” said Blount.

Blount likes to read; she prefers non-fiction books, memoirs and historical information. She recently read and recommends “Mama Made the Difference: Life Lessons my Mother Taught Me” by T.D. Jakes. Having recently read Barack Obama’s biography she hopes to soon delve into his new book, “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.”

However, transitioning from resource librarian to her new position does not allow her time to read all that she wants.

“People think because you work in a library you get to read everything. That’s not the case,” said Blount. “There are so many books in this library that I want to read but I just don’t have the time.”

When she isn’t helping students and staff, Blount likes traveling, sightseeing and antique shops. Last year she visited the Smithsonian with her 16-year-old daughter and her husband, an associate professor of mass communications at Winston Salem State University Dr. Brian Blount.