Jon Noland has been the college library director for two years, but he is now planning to retire and move to his house in Florida.
Noland said he is retiring because he had cancer last year, and it is in remission. He wants to try the things that he’s always wanted to do, but hasn’t had time for, including exercise and Yoga.
During his tenure, Noland brought about many changes to the library, including making use of the Web to categorize many of the school’s books.
When the student ID center moved to his office, he was pleased that he and his staff could get better acquainted with the students.
Noland’s job has been dedicated to the advancement of students of all walks of life. “The reason I have worked for 12 years at community colleges is because I believe students should have the opportunity for an education and upward mobility,” he said. His favorite student quote was an answer to why the student should come to SCCC, which was: “Because I was tired of being denied a raise.” That defines what Noland’s been trying to work for with students.
Noland said he has also tried to make the library more attractive and inviting, by rearranging.
He has set up events and brought speakers to campus. He kept up with the times and the audience by adding both graphic novels and books in Spanish.
Noland, who also speaks Spanish, loved to talk with the Spanish speaking students on campus. Emery Swagerty, the SCCC/ ATS library technician, sees him as a likeable person, and easy to get along with. He was open to comments and input on ideas, and had new plans for the library.
Noland speaks well of his employees, and said he has enjoyed working with them. Noland set up organization for the library and started buying more recreational type magazines. A cut in the overall budget of magazines meant funding was able to be used elsewhere.
Swagerty remembers having to crack down on most of the papers or books on his desk as Noland organized the office.
Noland might have brought many new ideas to the table at SCCC/ATS, but he was no rookie; he has worked at libraries across the country and knew what he was doing.
Noland is the third library director at the college, coming to Liberal two years ago following the resignation of Denyce Gammell.