Biographical Text
Associate Professor Emerita of the Library Gaye Wagoner Golds (February 9, 1936-) was born in Yadkinville, North Carolina, to Jane Benton (1911-1988) and James Ted Wagoner (1913-1978). She graduated from Mountain Park High School in 1953 and received a B.S. degree in primary education (1957) and an M.A. degree in library science (1963) from Appalachian State Teachers' College (now Appalachian State University) . Golds is married to Warner Roby Golds, and the couple have two children: James Warner (March 2, 1958-) and Michael Andy (February 16, 1961-). After being a librarian at West Wilkes High School, Wilkesboro, North Carolina, from 1957 to 1963, Golds joined the staff at Appalachian State University as an instructor and a librarian. She was promoted to assistant professor in 1968. While at Appalachian State, Golds continued to work towards her Ed.S. degree in library science, which she earned in 1973. At this time, she also became the reserve room librarian at Belk Library and was promoted to associate professor in 1974. In 1978, Golds became Belk Library's film librarian. In this position, with funding by a Center for Instructional Development grant, she initiated and was responsible for the publication of a film catalog, producing several supplements to the catalog over the following years. She also received a grant in 1983 for funds to create a catalog of international films and other audiovisual materials. Golds produced bibliographies of video titles in five different foreign languages, which were helpful in Instructional Materials Center reference work. In addition to her other activities, Golds was liaison to the Departments of Home Economics and Industrial Arts. She also served as a liaison for the Appalachian Studies Program, acting as community coordinator for two of the program's projects: a study of the Wildcat Community and the writing of a history of Stony Fork Baptist Church. She was the Appalachian representative to the informal video consortium, which helped the university purchase current video programs at greatly reduced prices. Additionally, she instructed the library component of Freshman Seminar classes and conducted library tours for public school groups. Golds served on various university and departmental committees, including the Library and Instructional Services Committee (secretary), the Learning Resources Personnel Committee, the Eunice Query Scholarship Committee, the Library Quartos Committee, the Retrospective Collection Development Committee, and the Library Display Committee. In 1989-90, she served on the jury committee for the American Film/Video Festival (held in San Francisco), evaluating many videos in the arts biography category. She also worked with faculty members on scheduling videos to be played over AppalNet for special events such as International Week, Black History Month, and Earth Day. An experienced quilter, Golds made quilting presentations to Appalachian's Senior Scholars, promoting the university and the library as a community resource. She also juried quilt shows in North Carolina and Virginia. Additionally, Golds enjoyed conducting storytelling and book reading sessions with local daycare groups. Professional affiliations included membership in the North Carolina Library Association and the American Library Association. Golds was awarded emerita status by the Board of Trustees in 1997, and retired from Appalachian State in 1998. She is enjoying her retirement, actively participating in her church's Women's Christian Circle and continuing to give lectures on quilting, as well as teaching quilting, and jurying quilt shows. Sources: Appalachian State. University files and personal correspondence. -Dr. Richard Howe
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