On October 28th, the South Carolina Library Association (SCLA) convened for its 110th convention at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Furman University was well-represented with both presenters (check back later for more info on that!) and award recipients.
Robyn Andrews (she/her) was awarded the 2025 Outstanding Support Staff Member Award. This highly competitive award is issued to a library staff member at a South Carolina public, academic, special, or school library that demonstrates the highest level of excellence in their work. Robyn was recognized for her work both as our Coordinator for Circulation and Research Services, as well as her meritorious work coordinating the libraries’ Thriving Communities Initiatives. In addition to her great work within Furman University Libraries, she works tirelessly on the President’s THRIVE Committee and the Shared Equity Leadership Team, SELT. Robyn was previously awarded the 2021/2022 Staff Member of the Year Award and the 2021/2022 Meritorious Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award. During the SCLA ceremony, she was described as guiding “our library student assistants in reflection on leading lives of meaning and consequence. Over the years dozens of students have expressed how her influence has changed the course of their lives.”
Ed Babinski (he/him) was awarded the Legacy of Service Award for his 41 years of service to South Carolina Libraries. Ed currently works as our Interlibrary Loan Specialist, and has been with Furman University since 1989. In his role, he has made sure that Furman Library is consistently a top loaner of materials, allowing our resources to be circulated throughout South Carolina and beyond. During the ceremony, he was described as “a beloved and respected integral part of the Furman University Libraries. His legacy continues through the dozens of colleagues and student employees he’s worked alongside and mentored over the years.”
We think our staff are pretty great, and we’re glad SCLA agrees! Be sure to leave a word of congratulations below for these stellar accomplishments!