Vey Miller recognized at library
On Friday Marguerite Vey Miller was announced as the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year at the Chadron Public Library open house. A large group was on hand to show appreciation to Vey Miller for all the contributions she has made to the library over the years.
Laurie Schmidt kicked off the presentation with a comprehensive summary of Marguerite's contributions and her talent and expertise in grant writing. Next was a slideshow, prepared by Rosella Tesch, that documented Vey Miller's long history of grant writing.
Vey Miller found her way to Northwest Nebraska in 1971 as a VISTA volunteer in Gordon, helping create a community center. Exchanging skyscrapers for grain elevators, steering wheel waves in daily driving and traffic jams caused by tractors and combines became the norm. Her travels took her to England, working as a barmaid and then British Lego setting up department store window displays, and back to the University of Pennsylvania. Here is where her grant writing talents were born out of necessity in order to fund a research job she had. She met CSC Professor Ron Miller and he was impressed that she knew where Chadron was and had visited there. They were married in 1983 and she began a successful career in Chadron. Grant writing transferred well to this community, as she wrote successful grants for the Pine Ridge Job Corp, Northwest Community Action, High Plains Community Development and the Library Foundation.
As a newcomer to Chadron and lover of libraries, she became a member of the monthly book club and discussion group held at the library and was interested in the needs of the library.
Vey Miller helped develop the vision for the library's Native American Film and Story Festival held in the fall. She gave of her time and talents to apply for grants, review films and authors to be presented. She helped secure the Native tory Speakers for entertainment and enlightenment.
She helped bring awareness to the lack of handicap accessible entrances and bathroom facilities in the library. At her encouragement, and grant writing ability, the library's lift chair was added to the front entrance, and repairs and service to the elevator was upgraded. Pull bars were added to the lower-level bathroom. A banister was added to the stairs from the children's level into the teen room.
Vey Miller served on the Chadron Public Library Foundation Board for more than 10 years. Her years on this board were spent encouraging the renovation and expansion of the library. She spent time looking for funding sources and grants to help move this project forward. This included a grant for a ramp added to the Friends of the Library Book sale house. While serving she encouraged the scholarship gift to graduating high school seniors for Dawes County, and adding needed items for the library or assistance in funding speakers or programs.
Her desire to see the preservation and expansion of the library prompted her to volunteer her expertise at grant writing to help the Foundation seek the Department of Economic Development Shovel Ready Grant in 2023. Along with Foundation member Laurie Schmidt, and Library Director Rosella Tesch, Vey Miller spent countless hours researching and writing the application for the grant. The Foundation was notified in October 2023 that it was awarded the grant in the amount of $640,000 to be used in a three-year period for the preservation of the present Carnegie building to bring it up to code levels compatible to adding a 5,000 foot addition. This grant gave a 20-year dream momentum, and Vey Miller continues to seek grant funding for our library project.
Her experience in community planning and grant research has been a valuable asset to the library and foundation.
Vey Miller was presented a plaque in recognition of her achievements and her name will be added to the volunteer of year plaque in the reading room. Following the presentation live music was performed by Pete Butler while everyone enjoyed cake and other refreshments.
