The family put a high value on reading, and Diggs had access to thousands of books at home and at the library where his mother was librarian. A self-professed bibliophile, he was reading Edgar Allen Poe by the time he was in fourth grade.

Armed with a love for books and an understanding of the importance of reading, Diggs worked with the School of Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to establish the "Helen Neighbours Diggs Endowment for Collections Support in the School of Information and Library Science."

The initial endowment is for $21,000, with $11,000 in matching funds from the Shell Oil Company Foundation. It will support the acquisition of books and materials, preservation of books and other library needs.

"I always hoped that I would someday be able to help replace or repair books that were tattered, or purchase new books, media or whatever is needed for the library," said Diggs. "Now that I can provide a gift, it was logical that the SILS library would be the best place to honor my mother, as this is where she spent time studying to become a librarian, and she has always had a love for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill."

Helen Neighbours was pursuing her bachelor's degree in English at UNC in the late 1940s and was on the way to the library when she became reacquainted with Henry Diggs, who was also a student at UNC.

"We were both from the same small town in Saltville, Virginia, who happened to meet again in Chapel Hill," said Mrs. Diggs.

On the Christmas Eve after graduation in 1949, they married in the Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill. The couple moved to Smithfield, where Helen became head librarian at Cleveland School. She also worked in the summer bookmobile program in Johnston County, taking books and collections to rural towns. Eventually, they moved back to Saltville, where Helen worked as the elementary school librarian while rearing three sons and teaching English classes.

After moving to Portsmouth, Va., Helen took classes in her spare time from professors traveling from Chapel Hill. Those professors were part of UNC's field-based library program for those already in the field. She returned to UNC for two summers for her master's in library science, completing her degree in 1983.

Before retiring from Erwin Middle School in Buncombe County, Helen was a librarian and an educator for 29 years.

Helen and her husband are proud of theirs son's actions to create an endowment.

"I feel quite humble that our son has done this," she said. "I can hardly take it in. He told me he made the endowment in my name because I taught him to learn to love to read."

"This is one of the finest things that has happened to our family," said Henry Diggs. "It is well deserved. Helen has done a tremendous amount of work helping so many to learn over the years and always contributing above and beyond what is expected. We're so proud that this gift has gone to Carolina in her name. We loved the time we spent there."

SILS librarian Rebecca Vargha is grateful for the endowment, which she says will enhance her ability to add to the collection in the SILS Library, with acquisitions in folklore and fairy tales.

"Because of this gift, we can grow the collection and provide resources that will be used by generations of students to come," Vargha said. "The outstanding generosity of Timothy Diggs leaves a wonderful legacy to our students -- those who will be our future librarians and information specialists."

The first purchase from the endowment is the three-volume, 905-page set "Storytelling: An Encyclopedia of Mythology and Folklore," edited by Josepha Sherman and published by M.E. Sharpe. The books will be especially useful for those taking courses in children's literature.

Although Diggs did not request it, nor was he aware of the title of the purchase beforehand, he was pleasantly surprised to learn the acquisition was for mythology and folklore.

"Folklore is a hobby of mine," he said. "I've been collecting books on folklore and fairy tales from my travels for several years."

As a geologist with Shell International Exploration and Production Inc., Diggs' work takes him to all parts of the world. He has collected books on folklore from countries such as Scotland, Ireland, Russia, Norway and many more.

Diggs plans to continue to make an annual contribution to the Helen Neighbours Diggs Endowment. Others who are interested in supporting the SILS Library may contact the school at 919-843-8337.