Congratulations Darcy Hannon-McFarland!

Please join us in congratulating Darcy on receiving UWSP's Outstanding Work Performance Award! A well-deserved recognition of her creativity, dedication, and behind-the-scenes magic in the library! Whether she’s tracking down rare resources, scoring Open Access articles, or starting dance parties with her kids, Darcy brings heart, humor, and a collaborative spirit to everything she does.

Find out her go-to way to unwind and which classic duo she vibes with most in our full interview below.

Name: Darcy Hannon-McFarland

Title: Library Specialist

Hometown: Go Point!

Education: B.S. Environmental Education and Interpretation

Years at the Library: 6

What does receiving this award mean to you?

Receiving this award has left me a bit speechless. I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to all my coworkers. I absolutely cannot do what I do without each and every person here.

What do you love most about working in the library?

What I love about working in libraries spans everything from the small victories of tracking down an obscure article in a foreign language from 1955 to the big picture of helping students, staff, and faculty find materials and information that shape their communities.

What’s one library service or resource you wish more people knew about?

Interlibrary Loan of course!

How has your role evolved over the years, and what keeps you passionate about library work?

There’s always something new. I love that we work collaboratively and adapt constantly. What keeps me going is knowing that our work supports research, curiosity, and creativity. It’s low-key magical.

What’s a favorite memory you have from working in the library?

It’s a hundred small moments. Stumbling on a new source for Open Access materials. Offsite Shenanigans. Finding a plastic dinosaur hidden next to the evolution books in the old stacks. A thank you note from an elementary school that used some of our books for a class project.

If you could describe your job in three words, what would they be?

Resourceful. Behind-the-scenes. Collaborative.

What’s your favorite book (or a recent read you’d recommend)?

It’s hard to pick one. These days I’m mostly reading children’s books. I’ve got to give a shout out to Frog and Toad. It’s a Classic; heck it’s an entire aesthetic right now. Frog and Toad are both heartwarming and hilarious 10/10.

If you could add one new feature to the library, what would it be?

Ok I’ve got two. Inside the library – Fireplaces. Somewhere to cozy up and read in the wintertime. Outside – Water Feature. Waterfall, stream, pond. Think of all the Frogs and Toads you could watch in the spring & summer!

What’s a little-known fact about your work that might surprise people?

Sometimes the items we borrow come from halfway around the world! People don’t always realize how global library networks are.

What’s your go-to way to unwind after a long day?

A good dance party with my kids is the perfect way to shake off a hard day.

If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go?

I would be up in the Northwoods boiling sap with my family.

What’s a hobby or skill you have that people might not know about?

I can make a mean paper snowflake.

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?

Gosh, I would gladly pass on having dinner with a historical figure. I would much rather see all my friends and family at a giant picnic.

If you were a character in a book, what kind of story would you be in?

I would be Toad… I am Toad.

What’s a totally useless talent you have?

??? See #12.

If your life had a theme song, what would it be?

“Peanut Butter Jelly” by Galantis. This song will always get me up and dancing.