David L. Archer President | Christian Brothers University

Kay Cunningham, the director of Plough Library at Christian Brothers University (CBU), has announced her plans to retire in March after a 15-year tenure. Known for her dedication and innovative approach, Cunningham has been a librarian for 35 years.

Cunningham dispels common misconceptions about librarians, stating, “The biggest misconception about librarians is that they are quiet and they like to read.” Instead, she emphasizes the importance of skills such as curiosity, creativity, flexibility, and problem-solving.

Throughout her career, Cunningham witnessed significant changes in the field. She recalled the early days of electronic resource access during her master's degree at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 1988. "I was there when all the changes happened," she said. Her research paper at UT was titled "CD-ROMs: Are They Here to Stay?"

During her time at CBU, Cunningham worked diligently to modernize and streamline library resources. In 2015, she led an initiative to review and reduce Plough Library’s collection from 100,000 books to 69,000. She also established popular sections on the first floor for new acquisitions and frequently requested titles.

Dr. John Smarrelli Jr., CBU President Emeritus who served concurrently with Cunningham from 2009 to 2019, praised her contributions: “In the true spirit of a Lasallian educator, Kay taught me about the importance of supporting a vibrant library experience for our students.”

Cunningham's responsibilities extended beyond traditional library duties; she also managed the Brother I. Leo O’Donnell Archives containing 65,000 records. Her practical approach prioritized newspaper clippings and photographs.

Reflecting on her retirement decision after being named a Distinguished Lasallian Educator in 2024, William Brandon from Plough Library noted: “Kay chose to spend a large portion of her library career here at CBU...She also brought with her a passion for developing not only CBU students but all the young librarians on her staff.”

Dr. Smarrelli expressed gratitude towards Cunningham's impact on CBU: “I am sure Kay will be missed greatly after her retirement from CBU,” he said. “Thank you, Kay.”