Reminiscences of Penny

Penny's knowledge of children's literature was astounding and her enthusiasm for our profession was contagious!   

Fredda Shaw
Seneca, SC

Penny came to Maine in the summer of 2007 for our Children's Lit class (it was either SLIS J756 or 757...I don't remember which).  We found the class quite challenging, because she had us reading and responding to 100 Caldecott winners and honor books.  Wow--what a challenge finding all those books!  But how tremendously valuable for us...I learned so much through the experience!  Penny was delightful to meet in person, and agreed to go to dinner with us afterwards.  She was so down-to-earth, sharing funny anecdotes and job-related frustrations.
We all found her to be not only a knowledgeable and instructive professor, but such a pleasant and conversible person.  I am so saddened that we have lost her--I only knew her for a short time, but she was a delight to know!

Diana Smart

I will always think of Penny when I read  Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson.  Penny did such a wonderful job reading this story during one of our summer class sessions and that I went out and bought several copies.  I was later lucky enough to have Jacqueline Woodson sign my copy and the copies I purchased for my school's library.  These books have become cherished favorites of the staff, students, and myself and all due to Penny.

Joely B. Stafford, MLIS
Media Specialist
Cheraw Intermediate School

I never actually took a class from Ms. Hayne, but I saw her in the computer lab from time to time. She was a very kind person, and she brought a lot of sunshine to Davis.

Travis Ferrell

....  I sure miss hearing her and seeing her in the halls of Davis!  Penny Hayne is one of the few instructors I know that ALWAYS received perfect evaluations and was loved by all!  Here’s to Penny!

Dr. Sam Hastings
Director, SLIS

Penny was one of my favorite Library School professors. I had her for two literature courses. In one of our assignments, we had to write about our favorite children's book. Mine is The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward. When my paper was returned, Penny had written that this was also her favorite children's book.

Penny always wrote comments on your work so you knew she read everything you did. That meant a lot to me.

In my 704 class with Pat Feehan, we had to interview another media specialist. Penny was my top choice. We met at the Barnes and Noble at Harrbison Blvd. She was so easy to talk to, so needless to say, I received good marks on this assignment, too, but it was all because of Penny. She was such a professional and always willing to help her colleagues and students. I have always valued her advice and taken her words of wisdom to heart. On the SCASL listserv, Penny didn't comment often, but when she did, it was because he had something meaningful to share.

I will miss Penny. She has had a tremendous influence in my professional life in the area of literacy. She was always active in SCIRA, often attending or presenting at the conference.

Cheers to Penny Hayne!!

Robyn Prince
Media Specialist, Woodruff Elementary School
Immediate Past President, SCIRA

I had the pleasure of having Penny for children's materials.  She truly loved books and children and, especially, teaching.  She also graciously allowed me to visit her during my school library internship.  She will truly be missed by everyone who knew her.
Teresa Coleman

Teresa Coleman, MLIS
School Library Media Specialist
Newberry Middle School

These are Penny's words from a SCASL Listserve response a few years ago.  I keep a copy of this quote on the wall by my desk at school to remind me of the most important reason I became a Library-Media Specialist:

"Giving students a first library experience that is positive is one of the most important things that Media Specialists do.  We influence children every day to view reading as 'joyful' by reading them 'fun' books and helping them find books that interest them.  Is there a way to 'quantify' the smiles on children's faces as they enter and leave the library?"
I didn't know Penny that well, but well enough to understand what a great loss our profession has suffered. 

Teri L. Puryear, M.Ed., MLS
Library-Media Specialist
Lake Murray Elementary School

Penny was my instructor for my Childrens’ Lit class at USC.  It was one of those long distance classes that was transmitted via satellite and one that required a trip to the local public library to view.  I thought I would dread sitting for long hours watching a person on a monitor talking.  Penny made the class so enjoyable that many times I would catch myself laughing out loud (which you know is sometimes not appreciated in a quiet library).  The way that she would describe the characters in the book she was reading was priceless, a rare talent. I can see how she could easily instill the love of reading into her students.  I will miss her.

Mary Silgals, MLIS
Trident Academy

Just 2 years ago I was a high school science teacher finishing up my MLIS and I took Children's Materials and was overwhelmed by how much I did not know about the subject!  The class was wonderful with great projects that were fun to complete.  I will never read Click Clack Moo again without thinking of Penny Hayne!

Kellyanne Burbage, media specialist
Sangaree Intermediate School

Penny Hayne is the reason Frank and I moved to South Carolina.  Penny taught Elizabeth Miller's class, over TV to Maine, when Elizabeth had a hospitalization.  Penny brought in many guests to talk about school libraries in South Carolina.  One of her guests, Drucie Raines, really brought home to us, with Penny, that as a teacher, Frank's experience would be welcome in South Carolina.  When we heard that, we put in our applications to every county on the coast and one county inland!  We loved Penny's enthusiasm for our profession, her knowledge of children's literature, and her beloved knowledge of her colleagues, which she passed on to us.

Cathleen C. Moore, MLIS, NBCT
Library of Congress Ambassador
Myrtle Beach Intermediate

I had Penny as the professor for the Children's Materials class at USC. I was absolutely amazed that she held down a full time job as a library media specialist, taught this class AND was serving as president of SCASL!  She was a wonderful teacher. Every single assignment I turned in to her was returned to me with thoughtful, detailed comments and feedback that truly helped me learn and grow as a professional.  She was one professor who knew who I was and showed an interest in me as an individual.  She will be greatly missed.

Mary Ries
Media Specialist
Sara Collins Elementary School

I took Penny's Children' s Literature class last semester and enjoyed it so much! She was a wonderful instructor and it was easy to see that she loved her work. Her passion for books and reading was contagious and I know her students are missing her terribly. I learned so much from her class and strive to be the librarian, media specialist, and reading advocate that she was. I feel so blessed to have been in her class and I will never forget her.

Karen Wimberly
Media Specialist
Bethune-Bowman Elementary School

Penny was such an extraordinary and special person.  She was highly regarded not only as a professional in the field of school library media and children’s literature, but was also a wonderful friend and mentor who always found time to be there for me.  She helped me through so much - challenging days of library school (where we first met when I took her “Jump Over the Moon” class), National Boards advice, Irmo band parent frustrations, breast cancer and the death of my husband.  She always knew the absolutely perfect book for any occasion. "It's fruitcake weather, Buddy" will always run through my mind at Christmastime because of Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory" that she gifted me with one year.  She always knew how to put on a great entertainment event at her home or anywhere else.  She kept in touch even though she was always busy and involved in so much.  She was intelligent, creative, vibrant and such a joy to know.   I still cannot believe she is gone.  I will always remember our friendship as well as our professional association.

Rita Black
Information Technology Specialist
St. Andrews Middle School