A one-time freelance writer, Denelle Eads still relies upon her communications background as the outreach and staff development librarian for the J. Murrey Atkins Library.
“I work with colleagues to promote professional development opportunities and coordinate outreach activities to enable us all in the library to get to know each other,” said Eads. “Currently, we have about 85 faculty and staff members in Atkins, and I interact with everyone.”
Some of the professional development offerings include guest lecturers and webinars on various library-related topics; in addition, Eads assists with outreach activities aimed at raising awareness of the library by the greater public. For example, earlier this year, Atkins Library hosted Dee Dixon of Pride magazine as part of its Black History Month celebration.
“I’ve loved all my jobs, but one of the best aspects of my current role is the flexibility to be creative,” Eads noted. “I get to work with so many different people.”
A native of Ohio, Eads earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Bowling Green State University. After a brief stint with Mead Corp., she joined Wilberforce University as an admissions counselor and also worked in admissions with Kent State before joining UNC Charlotte in 1996 as coordinator for multicultural students and merit scholarships.
After leaving to start a family, Eads returned to campus on a part-time basis with the circulation desk at Atkins Library. It was during her time away from the University that Eads worked as a freelance writer for the Charlotte Observer, Mecklenburg Neighbors and PRIDE magazine.
Two years after rejoining UNC Charlotte, Eads had moved into a full-time position in Special Collections, and she decided to complete a Master of Library Science from UNC Greensboro. After 10 years on the 10th floor, Eads accepted her present position, a new role in the library.
“Beyond coordinating professional development activities, I’m engaged in efforts to build community among library faculty and staff members – so we get together for ‘Coffee Conversations’ or do ‘Out of the Box’ lunch trips to encourage individuals to get to know their co-workers,” said Eads, who also served as the library’s Giving Green Champion the past few years. Giving Green is the centralized, unified, coordinated effort to generate financial support for the State Employees Combined Campaign, the Arts & Science Council and the UNC Charlotte Foundation.
“Being part of Giving Green is a plus – as the library’s champion I get to talk to people within Atkins and across campus,” said Eads. “And I like that Giving Green isn’t just about giving money, there are ways for employees to give of their time in service to local nonprofits through the community engagement aspect of the campaign.”
A college football fan, Eads follows Big 10 teams and was excited when the Charlotte 49ers took the field. This past year, she was a faculty football coach and had the chance to run across the field at the start of a home game. She also attended practices and went to dinner with the players.
“I was very impressed with the coaching staff and the players,” said Eads.
Apart from following football, Eads likes to cultivate flowers and vegetables, and she enjoys spending time at her Myrtle Beach house with husband Steve; daughter Hannah, who will be a freshman at ECU in the fall; and son Corey, a student at Queens Grant High School.