She lived in the county for less than two decades but her dedication to the Newberry County Library has put her name in the State Library.

Helen Dean was honored with the John Landrum Advocacy Award of the Friends of South Carolina Libraries. The award is not given annually, but only when a deserving recipient is designated.

As part of the recognition, Dean’s name will be inscribed on a plaque at the State Library.

Dean was responsible for starting the Newberry County Library’s friends group after she moved to Lake Murray in 1989.

The move came as Helen and her husband retired and came to South Carolina from Ohio.

“I love to read and have been a reader since I was a little girl,“ describes Dean.

That love for reading led Dean quickly to the library to get a library card, and introduce herself to the staff.

“From the beginning she was an active and outspoken library supporter, attending County Council meetings, writing letters and rallying others to the cause,“ says current Friends of the Library President Bettye Fulmer.

Dean remembers those council meetings and attending them on birthdays and anniversaries.

The reader found her stride in volunteering, and became a part-time coordinator.

It also became her vision to start a friends of the library group.

In 1998, she met Landrum and got his assistance, advice and encouragement to start the local chapter.

As the group began, Dean served as the first president for two terms of two years each. She also served as treasurer.

One of Dean’s projects was to start an annual book sale to benefit the library.

Dean is also known for organizing the annual literacy luncheon fundraiser and making the favors for the luncheon.

While Dean was not at this year’s event, she did donate a two-night stay in Aiken and a meal at Outback, that she won as part of her award, as a door prize.

But the biggest gift of her time volunteering, Dean says, was returning to Newberry for the grand opening of the new library.

Dean says she spent birthdays and many days lobbying for the new facility.

“My husband worked hard for it, too,“ she adds.

When Dean first saw the facility she was impressed.

“It was so bright and airy and spacious,“ Dean said.

Also, as part of her honor, Dean friends at the library paid for her flight back to South Carolina to receive the award.

Dean said the week-long trip to Newberry was glorious and filled with non-stop talk as she visited with local friends.