Jim Barns, soft-spoken and precise, is a reference librarian at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library on Market Street in Charlottesville. Over his lifetime, he has come to respect a lot of people. Most of us have. Unlike most of us, though, he expresses that respect. He writes letters to people to tell them what it is that he appreciates about them-- not just looking for a picture or an autograph, but out of genuine feeling. (He sometimes does get a signed photo back, though.)

He accumulates memorabilia; he clips magazines and newspapers. He collects ephemera connected with his heroes--flyers and tickets and programs and posters; books and magazines. And he displays this material on every available surface in a modest-size room in the basement of his home.

Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what's there.

Jim Barns

Jim loves sports--he's a runner--and has a special liking for women's sports-"it's purer, and they really seem to be having fun."

But a lot of attention in the room is paid to mainstream sports figures--many of them easy to admire, certainly--as well as some more obscure choices. Brooks Robinson is a special favorite.

After a while, Jim came with some reluctance to start a little 'wall of shame,' featuring people he really, really does not respect. Nixon is prominent, and Lyndon Johnson, and Kissinger as well--Vietnam still resonates. (Dave Sagarin, July 21, 2004)