Sandra K. Stelts, curator of rare books and manuscripts in Penn State's Special Collections Library, is the winner of the 2010 McKay Donkin Award.
Established in 1969 in honor of the late McKay Donkin, who served as vice president and treasurer of the University from 1957 to 1968, the award is presented to a full-time member of the faculty or staff or to a retiree who has contributed most to the "economic, physical, mental or social welfare of the faculty" of the University. The contribution should be for duties or services above and beyond the recipient's regularly assigned duties.
Stelts has served the University Libraries for 31 years, including the last 12 as curator of rare books and manuscripts. She is widely known among the teaching faculty, who call on her regularly for presentations that feature aspects of the holdings she curates. She helps students locate materials relevant to their research projects; conceives, organizes and installs exhibitions; purchases rare materials in support of individual faculty projects; and finds materials for University and visiting researchers (often arranging for them to work after hours with her at their side).
She has "moved heaven and earth" to assemble materials needed by faculty and graduate students, one nominator said. Another, who brings students to consult holdings in Special Collections, wrote, "Her combination of efficiency and expertise invariably enriches each of these class sessions. Consequently, students leave Special Collections with an increased appreciation of how the examination of material culture in the form of printed artifacts can illuminate their studies."