University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries Magazine | Page 24

Jim Dast sits on boxes
of books ready to be
sorted for the book sale
in Memorial Library.

24 | LIBRARIES Fall 2015

The Friends of the University of Wisconsin–
Madison Libraries are pleased to announce
that Jim Dast was honored with the Rotary
Club of Madison’s Senior Service Award on
March 18, 2015. Jim has been a volunteer with
the Friends for more than thirty years and
has contributed in many ways to the Madison
community.
The Friends and the Libraries are very
fortunate to have volunteers such as Jim Dast
who are so committed to their work. “Few
embody the dedication better than Jim,” says
Ed Van Gemert, Vice Provost for Libraries
and University Librarian. “His impact on the
Libraries has been immeasurable.”
Jim’s love of books has been a part of
his life for as long as he can remember. It’s
a passion that shaped his career, but also
drove him to help others find the same joy in
books that he knows. “All my life I’ve loved
to handle books,” Dast notes. “Now I have
the opportunity to continue to handle books,
and do something I feel is beneficial to the
Libraries and to so many other people.”

Jim began volunteering for the Friends
book sale at its inception in 1985, then a
monthly event. In 1996 Jim retired as the
Libraries’ Conservator and in 1999 he joined
the Friends Board. He took over operation of
the book sale in 2004 from John Toussaint.
By then the total sales accumulated over
$300,000. Under Jim’s leadership, the sales
continued to flourish, and have now raised
nearly $735,000 dollars. Jim’s goal is to raise
more than $1 million. Then he says he’ll think
about retiring—(again).
When asked why he was such a faithful
volunteer, Jim responded, “The collections
of the University Libraries are an almost
incomprehensibly vast cultural, intellectual,
and academic resource. Serving as a member
and volunteer of the Friends gives me the
opportunity, in some small way to contribute
to those resources.”
Preparing for the book sale is a meticulous
undertaking. Jim works tirelessly unpacking,
sorting, and organizing thousands upon
thousands of books for each sale. He oversees
nearly sixty volunteers during the sales, and
when it’s all over, he starts preparing for the
next one.
Jim’s volunteer efforts don’t end with the
sale. He is instrumental in connecting with
other book programs, such as Books for the
Dane County Jail, Rotary’s Books for the
World program, and Better World Books.
His efforts with these programs provides
them with remainders from the Friends’
sale and other books such as textbooks or
pocket paperbacks that are not included in
the sale. In addition, he frequently repairs
older books of interest for the Madison Public
Library’s Sequoya branch book sales. Jim also
volunteers his time and talents to Habitat
for Humanity Restore on the deconstruction
team, salvaging materials for resale.

Wisconsin,” says Maria Saffiotti Dale, Friends
Board member and former president. “It is
with deep gratitude and pride that the Friends
join Jim in celebrating this honor.”
When Jim learned he was going to be
honored by the Rotary Club of Madison, his
response was humble. But although Jim is
not one to brag, if you nudge him a little,
he’ll finally admit, he’s done more than his
share to earn this award. “You know, maybe
I deserve this award,” he says as he gazes
over the piles of boxes in the basement of
Memorial Library. “I guess a little recognition
never hurts.”

http://www.library.wisc.edu/
news/2015/03/16/rotary-clubof-madison-honors-longtimeuw-madison-libraries-employeewith-senior-service-award/

Ed Van Gemert, Vice Provost for Libraries (left), Jim Dast (center), and Tim Stadelman (right), of the
Rotary Club of Madison.

“The collections of the University Libraries are an
almost incomprehensibly vast cultural, intellectual,
and academic resource.”

University of Wisconsin–Madison | 25

Friends

Jim Dast: Honoring Superior Service

Jim was nominated for this award by
Mary K. Rouse, Assistant Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs and Dean of Students
Emerita, UW–Madison, and by Ed Van
Gemert. The award is given to individuals,
couples, or senior groups who have
contributed significant amounts of civic or
social services to the local community or to
society in general. The award is for those at
least sixty-five years of age who through their
efforts represent and foster the Rotary ideal of
“Service above Self.”
Those who have worked with Jim through
the years say he certainly deserves the honor.
“Jim’s inspired leadership in the last thirty
years has made the Friends Book Sale one of
the most coveted book events in the state of