Katie Baxter, MLA President and John Arnold, Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners made a joint presentation to Joseph Hopkins

Margo Crist, Joe's long-time companion and fellow librarian made comments on his behalf:

I must admit to being a bit worried trying to provide the voice of Joe Hopkins in response to this award.    However, I will be using some of his own words, so I think it will work!

I think most of you know that Joe suffered a stroke a year and a half ago and has been fighting his way back as he has taken on all the challenges of his life.      He may not be able to express himself to you today but he is still totally aware of the honor he is receiving.

I want you to know how pleased Joe is at being honored in this way---by colleagues in an organization and profession where he has devoted much of his life and career.

Joe and Massachusetts Libraries have had a close association throughout his whole life---he used them as a student in the Boston area, worked in them as director in 2 libraries for several decades, served in MLA in many roles.    Notably beyond what you heard here,   like being President,   he was Vice President of MLA three times---that must be a record!     He was a member of the Executive Board helping to lead MLA for many years.   And, of course he is serving on and chaired the MBLC.

He once told me that he felt his focus and effort would be most useful in Massachusetts rather than in regional or national roles.   He wanted to make a difference here and I think we can all agree that he did.

Joe's values and his devotion to libraries   came through   the talks he gave at various library dedications in his roles with the MBLC.     I think the best way to share his voice regarding his sense of libraries and how much he regards the honor today is to share with you some excerpts from one of his talks when he was speaking to the some of the patrons of one library, perhaps yours,   like the ones he served all his life.

The following are quotes from Joe:

"I have been to a number of dedication events and have been consistently struck by seemingly ordinary people who make extraordinary efforts in endless meetings, in providing passionate arguments in the give and take of open debate and in the difficult task of raising funds.  

"I often wonder about the source of their drive.    What is in their heart, I do not know for sure,    However, there are some feelings that come through to me.    I call them the three C's.

"C for Children---Many say that they do this for their children and grandchildren, for their now and for their future.     They believe that reading and books are essential for their life's journey.    They know that libraries provide a head start to the very young and provide the opportunity for independent life-long learning where imagination and scholarship is nurtured.

"C for Community---Many work and contribute to develop pride in their community.    A good place to live.     They see the library as a focus on community life.    A place.   A center which welcomes all, and where the community is on display."

He would say that the MLA community matters to him as well.

"Finally C for Country---I get a glimpse of deep feelings from people who believe there is a relationship between libraries and democratic values.    It is not lost upon them that our Founding Fathers were avid readers and were dependent upon books from their personal collections for their ideas and actions and the need for an informed citizenry to make democracy work."

So, the Induction today honors him for his accomplishments, the roles he played so well.    You also, of course, honor his values and the ways in which they are inextricably interconnected with what he saw as the value of libraries and what he learned and applied as a librarian and a Commissioner.   You honor the spokesman and the advocate role he so ably played over the years.

On behalf of Joe, I thank you from the bottom of both our hearts.