The honoree will be involved in the selection of materials to be purchased and the materials will be identified in a way to show recognition and appreciation for her support of and commitment to the University Libraries.

Davy-Jo Ridge and Audubon

Ms. Ridge recalls, "I grew up in Walnut Hill, a large farm, in Oconee County and from childhood watched birdlife and maintained bird feeders in our yard.

"I really did not know much about John James Audubon until I came to work at the University of South Carolina Libraries. There I looked at the large folio edition that South Carolina College purchased in 1832 as one of four subscribers in South Carolina.

"I became more interested in Audubon and his work when Mr. Toombs and I visited Mrs. Jennie Haddock Feagle who had an original Wild Turkey print and wanted to give it to the USC Library. It can be seen in the entrance of the Rare Book Room today.

"In 1985, the 200th anniversary of Audubon's birth, Thomas Cooper Library published my book A Load of Gratitude: Audubon and South Carolina. It is possible that had Audubon not come the South Carolina in the 1830s and became a friend of Dr. John Bachman in Charleston who encouraged his interest in birds, Audubon might not have finished that magnificent work. He attained four subscriptions of his book in South Carolina which included the South Carolina College. He later published an octavo edition of the Birds of America in 1840 which is in the Rare Book Room."

Contributions to the Davy-Jo Ridge Library Fund

Additional contributions to honor Ms. Ridge are welcome. Checks should be made payable to the USC Educational Foundation and sent to the attention of Stephanie Learner, Thomas Cooper Library, L504, Columbia, SC, 29208. For questions, she may be contacted 803-777-5564 or learner@gwm.sc.edu.

Gifts may also be made online at http://www.sc.edu/library/develop/donate.html.