UM-Flint library receives $600K gift from estate of retired librarian, Dorothy Gae Davis 

In an institution as large and complex as a university campus, it can be easy to forget that the fundamental components of the varied departments, resources and programs are people. These dedicated individuals carve out their own lives and identities while supporting the university's mission and working toward the common good of educating students. Each leaves their own legacy as varied as the individual themselves and reflective of their professional life and personal passions.

The legacy of Dorothy Gae Davis, associate librarian emerita, is one of decades of service and selfless giving. Davis served as a librarian at the University of Michigan-Flint for 31 years, retiring from her role as government documents associate librarian in 2008. After her passing earlier this year, the university learned that Davis' trust bequeathed $600,000 to the Frances Willson Thompson Library—a lasting capstone to her lifelong support of UM-Flint.

"The generous estate gift from Dorothy Davis stands as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of faculty and staff who dedicate their careers to the university," said Shari Schrader, vice chancellor for university advancement. "It is deeply inspiring to witness colleagues who, even after retirement, remain committed to our mission and feel compelled to invest in the success of future generations. Their legacy not only enriches the lives of our students but also sets a profound example of lifelong dedication and support for our academic community."

According to Jennifer Dean, Thompson Library director, a twofold strategy will maximize the impact of Davis' gift. A portion of the money will be used now to update and renovate select library spaces, while the remainder will create a quasi-endowment. Because this was an unrestricted gift, a quasi-endowment allows the university community the flexibility to invest the gift funds for years to come, although an endowment was not required by the donor.

Regarding current plans for the gift, Dean said renewing the library's study rooms will be a point of emphasis, with special attention given to the needs of UM-Flint's particular student population.

"Our university serves a large number of nontraditional students, many of whom are parents and caregivers. We endeavor to make the library an accessible, welcoming space for everyone in the UM-Flint community, which is why we are developing plans to create family-friendly study rooms," Dean said. "Students juggle countless responsibilities, especially those with caregiving duties, so we are thinking about how we can make their lives just a little easier."

In addition to spaces designed to comfortably accommodate both learners and their dependents, the library also intends to furnish its study spaces with contemporary furniture.

"Things like offering seating with outlets close at hand, chairs with headphones built in to help students get in the zone while working, enhancing group study spaces and providing solo study pods are examples of easy wins to make the library a friction-free destination for learning and growing on campus," Dean said.

An evolving approach to how the library meets and serves its stakeholders was a major component of Davis' career, which began in the mid-1960s after she earned a master's degree in library science from the University of Oklahoma. She worked for the shared library of Flint Junior College (now Mott Community College) and the Flint College of the University of Michigan (now UM-Flint). In 1977, the institutions split their library services, and Davis became exclusively a UM-Flint employee, working in the library's location in the Classroom and Office Building.

Davis would go on to work in the Library Annex on Harrison Street when it opened in 1983. It was there that Paul Gifford, senior associate librarian emeritus, first met Davis in 1987. He remembers Davis for her advocacy and innovation.

"Dorothy knew her stuff. She would help a patron find anything they wanted. As government documents were her specialty, she helped a lot of the political scientists and sociologists at the university, as well as students," Gifford said. "In her personal life, she actively involved herself in local groups. She learned to type Braille and participated in voluntary efforts to create Braille versions of books. She was an early expert with personal computers and was active online in the 1980s, when CompuServe was one of the few networks. She hosted a local group of Flint Apple users. Whenever I had a question about computers—this was when screens were black with green letters and everything was about MS-DOS—she gladly helped me."

Dean said she believes plans for Davis' gift align well with this legacy of adopting the latest methods to better serve library patrons.

"As Dorothy neared retirement, the foundation was being laid for the library to grow from a place just for quiet study and research into a space that also accommodates group study and connection," Dean said. "Our intention is to honor Dorothy by working to ensure everyone feels welcomed, and has the tools they need to thrive."

While this gift is the largest in Davis' long history of giving, she also supported initiatives such as the renovation of the School of Management in the early 2010s, programs in the Division of Student Affairs, and numerous other instances of annual giving.

Learn more about the Frances Willson Thompson Library on its website. More information about giving to UM-Flint can also be found online.