Eleanor R. Mathews

An Arab proverb says "A book is like a garden carried in the pocket." Eleanor Mathews believes this and has become both a literal and figurative gardener as her degrees in both botany and library science can attest. She has successfully integrated her interests in plants and books by becoming the Resource Librarian for the College of Agriculture at Iowa State University.

Ellie received a B.S. in Biology from Wheaton College, in Norton, Massachusetts which was not far from her hometown Melrose, Massachusetts. She went on to do graduate work in Botany at Iowa State University. She had completed 30 credit hours toward a degree in Botany when she married Jerry Mathews who was a graduating Ph.D. student in Mathematics.

Together they moved to the University of Oklahoma but returned to ISU in 1961 when Jerry became part of the mathematics faculty. With two sons Carl and Nels there seemed little time for botany studies except for occasional backyard gardening. In the early 1970's Ellie chose to make the necessary sacrifices to obtain a A&A. in Library Science. The sacrifices included having to study at the University of Iowa in Iowa City two and a half hours away from home. But having done this she received her degree in 1975.

Beginning as reference librarian she is now head of reference and instructional services at Parks Library on the ISU campus. She has served on numerous Iowa State University library special assignments including international assignments. She has been a vital member of national and international professional organizations having served as chair of the National Association of College and Research Libraries Science and Technology section. Eleanor Mathews explored her interests and found a way to make them work together. Ellie would be a success in any field she would choose.

3/19/94