A year of libraries and Loy

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Daryl Richard Lawrence, and it is my honor and privilege to serve as the Chair of the Senate Library Committee for the 2026-2027 academic year. Throughout the coming year, I will be sharing my experiences with the University of Minnesota Libraries (UMN Libraries) as well as my favorite resources, collections, and spaces within the Libraries.

Aside from my role with the Senate Library Committee, I am the Museum Facilities Manager for the Bell Museum on the St. Paul campus. In that role, which I have held for six and a half years, I make sure the museum and its collections facilities work to preserve Minnesota’s natural history. We have over six million specimens in our collections and it is my job to ensure that the Bell’s tens of thousands of visitors per year enjoy their visits.There are many parallels between my day job and what goes on in a library, which is probably one of the many reasons I am such a fan and advocate of UMN Libraries.

On the shared governance side of things, I also hold the leadership position of Chair of the Civil Service Senate. As a Civil Service Staff member, I have utilized the University Libraries countless times for both leisure reading and research. I know what a treasure we truly have on our campuses in the wonderful resources they provide, and I hope that throughout the coming year I can show you just what we all have at our fingertips as members of the University committee. 

But wait, there’s more! I’m also a researcher and an author. My current research project is a biography of Myrna Loy. While some of my research has taken me (virtually and otherwise) around the country and globe, I don’t need to go far to help further my research right here in Minnesota! With so many ways to research at the University, I will be bringing you along as I look at how the people and resources at UMN Libraries are second to none. 

Just a bit about Myrna Loy. Who was she and why am I writing a biography on her? The most concise way to put it is that she was a multi-hyphenate-actress-public servant-activist. The longer description is that Myrna started off as an actress in the silent era, transitioned successfully to talking motion pictures, was legitimately crowned Queen of Hollywood by fans, and then expanded her horizons as she represented the United States to UNESCO and sat on the board of directors for the National Committee Against Discrimination in Housing (NCADH). Active into her late 70s, she was honored at the Kennedy Center and received an honorary Academy Award in 1991. 

Throughout the coming year, I will be sharing much more about Myrna, as well as my research, and how UMN Libraries makes my work possible. I’m so excited to show you what I have uncovered and, along with some special guests, profile some of the excellent resources available right here at the University of Minnesota. 

Stay tuned for an insightful, enriching trip through UMN Libraries!