The Friends of the Richland County Public Library recognized Dr. Patrick Scott with the 2008 Lucy Hampton Bostick Award at its Annual Meeting on Sunday, September 14 for his tireless efforts to advance the interest of books and libraries.

 

During the past 10 years, under the direction of Dr. Scott, the Rare Books Collection at the University of South Carolina (USC) has doubled in size—growing to well over 100,000 volumes. Many of the materials have also been digitalized and shared worldwide.  In 2007, Scott helped launch the digitalized Phillis Wheatley project, which contains Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, the first book published by an African-American author, and the frontispiece portrait of Wheatley, which is the only surviving work by the African-American slave artist Scipio Moorhead.
 
Scott is a Professor of English and the Director of Rare Books and Special Collections in the Thomas Cooper Library at USC. In 1985, he was named the USC English Department Teacher of the Year, and in 2004, he received the university-wide Mungo Teaching Award.
 
Scott earned his bachelor of arts at Merton College, Oxford; his masters of arts at Leicester University and his doctorate at the University of Edinburgh. Prior to coming to South Carolina in 1976, he taught at the secondary level in Nigeria and Britain, at the college level at Leicester and Edinburgh and was a visiting lecturer at the College of William and Mary.
 
“I have worked in university research libraries for nearly 40 years and have met many rare books librarians” said Paul Willis, former Dean of Libraries at USC, in a letter supporting Scott’s nomination. “I have never met Patrick’s equal.  (He) brings great genuine interest and intellect to books and libraries and is eager to share his knowledge and the extraordinary collections…with faculty, students and the greater community.”
 
The Friends’ Lucy Hampton Bostick Award was established in 1978 to honor the memory of Ms. Bostick, the Richland County Public Library’s director from 1928-1968. Bostick is credited with fostering interest in Southern literature and history, improving cultural life in Columbia and promoting library appreciation throughout the state.
 
The Friends of RCPL is a nonprofit organization charged with raising support for and awareness of the library. Memberships start at only $25. For more information, call 929-3475 or visit www.myrcpl.com/friends.htm.