Lynda Montgomery, one of the Media Center’s volunteer aides, created a one-of-a-kind quilt for Ex Libris, the school’s book club. To honor the club, Montgomery pieced together nine past Ex Libris T-shirts to create her work of art in only three weeks.

The shirts in the quilt, which includes the 2013-2014 shirt, date back to 2005. Each shirt was designed by the club’s officers, so the quilt stitches together the past with the present. Montgomery also scanned the spines of the club’s favorite books over the years onto cloth to create a fabric stack of books. She also used quotes from club members and events that were on many of the T-shirts.

Media Specialist Leigh Anne Hanie and English teacher Lela Crowder are the club sponsors.   Hanie said that Montgomery, who has been a Media Center volunteer for six years, is an important part of both the club and the library.  Crowder explained that Montgomery “gives us a lot of encouragement, support, and reading ideas behind the scenes.”

Hanie, who called the quilt a “selfless gift,” said Montgomery refused to accept any payment for her work and efforts. Instead,  Hanie said, she told her to  “donate the amount of money you think I spent to make this to the Read-a-Thon.” The Read-a-Thon is the club’s annual volunteer fundraiser to make money for a chosen literacy charity to promote reading.

“We really appreciate the hard work that she put into this so that we can preserve our legacy,” said  club president Kristin Higginbotham, who called the quilt a “special addition to Ex Libris.”

Crowder said it’s a  “nice way to commemorate the club and its contributions to the school.”

Visitors to the Media Center will be able to view Montgomery’s gift hanging on the wall to the right of the checkout desk. It is positioned behind the sitting area that students often use before and after school and during lunch.