Friends help Sturgis Library increase resources

A student−led initiative to enhance library resources is under way‚ and already the effort is paying dividends.

Georgia (May 25, 2004) — A student−led initiative to enhance library resources is under way‚ and already the effort is paying dividends.

The Student Services Committee of the Student Government Association has established a “Friends of the Library” program‚ the goal of which is to raise money in support of the Sturgis Library. Students can purchase “Friends of the Library” memberships for $10‚ while faculty‚ staff and alumni can buy memberships for $25.

“Students had come to SGA and complained about not having access to a number of periodicals‚” Delores Bunch−Keemer‚ a senator−at−large who is spearheading the group‚ said. “There are 27‚000 periodicals available that we don’t have access to on the library database.”

Students have access to research magazines in the existing database‚ but not to periodicals such as Time magazine. To add the additional periodicals to the database will cost $100‚000 annually‚ according to Bunch−Keemer.

Originally‚ Bunch−Keemer approached university foundation President James A. Fleming about possible foundation support for the project‚ but he advised her the best way to raise money for the library would be through a “Friends of the Library” program‚ she said.

“So far we have raised $2‚956 through a series of fundraisers since November‚” the economics & finance major said. “Just as important as the monetary support we’ve received is the awareness that’s been created about the library.”

The “Friends of the Library” group is critical to the future success of the library‚ according to its director‚ Bob Williams.

“The creation of this group is one of the first truly grown−up signs of a university library‚” Williams said. “All mature libraries have groups like this. And while we have a great deal of resources now‚ what we want to do is go beyond the basic classroom support‚ and this fundraising will enable us to provide much richer resources.”

As home to one of only three substantial rare book collections in the state‚ Williams said establishing a “Friends of the Library” group was a natural evolution.

The 16−year−old Bentley Rare Book Gallery is home to such important works as a 1542 first printing of the complete works of Jeffrey Chaucer‚ in addition to a large collection of historical newspapers dating from the early 1700s to the late 20th century. With the support of the “Friends of the Library” group‚ the library will be able to add to its impressive collection‚ Williams said.

“We want to be a repository for the community to look to for a rich and expansive collection‚” he said. “And what’s marvelous about this is the students are truly interested in the furtherance of library resources and are willing to work at it; that’s very impressive. I feel like I have been so blessed to have a group of students who would be willing to do this.”

For more information on the “Friends of the Library” group and how you can help‚ call 770−423−6276.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.