Fans of children’s literature see so much more than paper-bound books before them. They see portals that are capable of transforming readers of all ages to another time and place.

No one appreciates this magic more than Dr. Robert Dornish, a former children’s literature professor at Kutztown University, and his wife Alice, who taught in the office administrative program at NCC for thirty years. The Dornishes recently donated 700 children’s and young adult books to NCC. On Thursday, February 20 the College celebrated their generosity at a dedication ceremony.

^{From left to right:  Bob Dornish, Alice Dornish, Harriett Mack, and Paul Mack.}


The phrase “dedication ceremony” sounds formal, but the event felt more like a family reunion with relatives one really, really likes. NCC faculty and staff, who had worked with Alice, were in attendance along with friends and family members of the Dornishes. Smiles and laughter abounded in the Paul and Harriett Mack Library as friends and former colleagues greeted each other.

“We know Alice a little bit better than we know Bob, but all of us who know the Dornishes know that they are absolutely a wonderful couple. If you know one, you know the other,” Dr. Art Scott, president of NCC, told the standing-room only crowd.

“There are many people who have accumulated things over a lifetime, but there aren’t many who are so generous to share their beloved collection to benefit others and to inspire others. Bob and Alice Dornish did, and we are thankful,” Dr. Annette Bruno, assistant professor of education, said. She also spoke of being invited to the Dornish home to view the collection a few years ago.

“It’s not often as an adult you show up on someone’s doorstop and ask to see their stuff,” she joked.

^{An autographed copy of Eric Carle's "10 Little Rubber Duckies."}


It was at the Bethlehem Public Library, not NCC, that Olga Conneen, director of library services, first met Bob Dornish.

“I was the children’s librarian there and Bob would come in all the time,” she said. Conneen also recalled meeting up with the couple many times across the country.

“As a librarian I attend the American Library Association conferences twice a year. About 16,000 to 20,000 librarians attend, along with authors and illustrators. Every year I bump into Bob and Alice out of all of those people!” Conneen commented. “They are always carrying books. He flies them out just to have the artists and illustrators sign them. They have many, many friends in the book world. Many times an author has looked at my nametag and saw that I was from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and asked ‘Do you know Dr. Bob?’ ”

Conneen has also been invited to the Dornish home to view the collection. “It’s beyond words. They built an addition onto their home for it. He’s even got one of those ladders that go up to the ceiling. There are over 15,000 books in this collection and each one is more spectacular than the next.”

She also noted the framed artwork hanging in the couple’s home. “On display are over 150 works of art by children’s illustrators,” she said.

Brian Ajhar, an NCC alumnus and illustrator, presented Bob with an autographed copy of one of his books and said, “Thank you for your love of children’s books.”

“I’m truly overwhelmed,” Alice Dornish said as she looked out at the smiling crowd. “Family, friends, my college community – it makes standing in line to get autographs and hauling those books around all worthwhile. I know that the faculty here will use the books to the advantage of students who will be going on to work with children in their future careers.”

And while during the course of the event many people were praising the Dornishes, Bob saved his acclaim for the authors, illustrators, and his wife. He thanked her for traveling all over the country to attend book signings and conferences.

“Children’s books authors and illustrators are the greatest people in the world,” Dr. Dornish (pictured left) said. “They give to children insight into this world in which they will be living and they give them wonderful exposure to our language. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a passage in a book and had to go back and read it again because that passage is filled with dynamite in terms of the combination of the words.”

The Dornish Children’s Literature Collection contains books that have been signed by the authors or illustrators and in some cases, both. Many are first edition copies. The Dornishes have also donated a portion of their collection to Kutztown University. NCC’s Dornish Children’s Literature Collection is housed in the Paul and Harriet Mack Library and contains books by Maurice Sendak, J.K. Rowling, Tomi DePaola, and Rosemary Wells. The books will not be circulated but can be viewed by appointment. Unsigned copies of many of the books are available in the library’s general collection for those who would like to check them out.

^{An autographed copy of  Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith's "Squids Will Be Squids."}