By K.C. IFEANYI

kni002@latech.edu

 

Prescott Memorial Library will add new literature, music, history and theater books to its collection, but with a little something extra.

Bookplates honoring the late John and Frances Winters will be added to the back of the front cover of each new book in the special collection. Frances Winters began working as a librarian at Tech shortly after John Winters began teaching in 1948.

“[John Winters] was the best history teacher Tech has ever had,” Walter Wicker, director of the library, said. Wicker also said that John Winters wrote “The Civil War in Louisiana” in 1963 which was basically the textbook of the time. 

Wicker said the Winters were chosen to be honored not only for their loyalty and contributions to Tech, but to the community as well.

Wicker said another reason the Winters are receiving their own collection was that when they passed away, nothing was really done in their honor.

“We thought the bookplates would be a better memorial than a statue,” Wicker said.

Wicker said the subjects of the new books were selected due to the Winters’ profound love of each topic, especially Frances, who was a librarian at Tech.

Sue McFadden, a librarian, said she remembers Frances Winters as “a dear, sweet lady” who was very dedicated to the library.

Wicker said Frances helped make the library what it is today when she became head of acquisitions, which meant she was in charge of ordering the books the library used.

Wicker said once the bookplates are completed and when the new books arrive, some will be placed on display outside the library to let students know of their arrival.

Christie Jones, a senior architecture major, said she is excited to see what the new books are going to be.

“I think it’s a great thing the library is doing,” Jones said. “Even though I’ve never met [the Winters] before, I’ve heard good things about them.”

Although the Winters have passed away, both Wicker and McFadden said they have fond memories of the couple.

“I remember sitting behind [Mrs. Winters] during the Lady Techsters games,” Wicker said. “She had always been an ardent follower of basketball.”

McFadden, who was a student of John’s, remembers him being “an excellent teacher, very thorough and interested in his topic.”

However, McFadden also said she was sometimes intimidated by his class.

“He was just so knowledgeable,” McFadden said.

Wicker said he hopes that by adding the bookplates, the memory of the Winters will live on. Even though he never got an opportunity to work with the Winters, Wicker remembers them as being “wonderful friends.”