After a long history with the Missouri State University Libraries, Dea Borneman will retire at the end of August.

Her career began as a student employee in the late 1970’s, when the main library was housed within the current location of Cheek Hall. During her time as a student worker, the library moved to its current site and was renamed the Duane G. Meyer Library.

She later joined the Acquisitions and Collection Development Department as a staff member in 1986. While working in this department, she remembers faculty and staff receiving their first computers and celebrating with others as the last physical card catalog, which library personnel referred to as “the dinosaur,” was finally removed from the building.

In 1998, Dea joined the MSU Library Science faculty and then in 2000 was asked to serve as librarian for the Greenwood Laboratory School. The move to Greenwood was a natural fit, she had previously completed student teaching there in 1982, and later did a practicum at Greenwood for certification as a school library media specialist.

Highlights from her times as a Library Science faculty member include the 2006 complete renovation of the library at Greenwood and a new name, Haseltine Library. She advocated for Missouri school librarians by serving on Department of Elementary and Secondary Education committees and as president of the Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL). Her MASL recognitions include a Lifetime Service Award, and two TLC (Teacher/Librarian Collaboration) Awards. Additionally, Dea served as an advisor for the Children’s and Young Adult Book Review Board of Missouri, and she continues to serve on the steering committee for the Children’s Literature Festival of the Ozarks.

Her latest publication is a book chapter with Dr. Melinda Hammerschmidt within the book, The How and Why of Laboratory Schools: Innovations and Success Stories in Teacher Preparation and Student Learning by Michael Odell, Teresa Kennedy, Barbara B. Meyer, and Jill Sarada, which will be available this fall.

Dea wishes to extend her sincere gratitude to everyone within the MSU Libraries and Greenwood for their support and friendship throughout the years. Her last day on campus will be August 8. Per Dea’s request, no retirement reception in Meyer Library is planned. 

Dea, thanks for all your good work over the decades, and best wishes to you in the next phase of your life.