Every donor has a story, and Lois McConnell McCallum James’ library story spans nearly a century.

Lois is 99 years old, and recently sent an unexpected gift to the Library Foundation. She saw plans for the new Main Library and donated to The CommonSpark campaign “in honor of all the Library meant to me as a child on a small dairy farm.”

We visited Lois, and she told of a lifelong love of books. “I’d be let off at the steps of the Carnegie Library on Tryon Street while my father delivered butter and buttermilk to the hotels. I’d come out with a stack of books every time.” Lois recalls the kindness of librarian Anne Pierce (head librarian from 1918-1937) and went on to earn a library degree herself at Winthrop College.

Today Lois enjoys mysteries and fiction. But she recalls clearly and lovingly her days reading on the dairy farm. “My favorite books were a series called The Twins. They travelled the world. And I’d read about their adventures from our little farm, where it was my job to watch the cows and keep them in one area. I may not have been the most attentive cow-sitter because I was usually distracted by a good story.” Lois smiles at the memory. “Long live the Library!”