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LBCC by Henry DuBois |
Library
Struggles to Serve Student Needs |
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A message to the LBCC Campus Community from Dele Ukwu, Library Department Head As academics, we know and revere the central mission of libraries in the preservation, organization, and delivery of recorded knowledge through civilizations from West to East, from the Greco-Roman to the ancient civilizations of Harrappa and Mohenjandaro. It is a mission that has evolved and grown through centuries, and in colleges and universities it has been made manifest through the library's fundamental support of teaching and learning in all disciplines and at all levels. At Long Beach City College this proud tradition of service to students and faculty has been maintained for over 75 years. I am writing you now because the library is facing a crisis and is finding itself increasingly unable to meet the basic needs and expectations of its constituents. One notable example is the shocking erosion of funding for book purchases, money needed to buy essential, current information resources across the curriculum. The library has had zero funding for books for since 2003/04. Although electronic subscriptions have helped somewhat to mitigate this deficit, no one can deny that core collections of up to date print materials are a critical need for any academic library. To address this need I have authorized a direct appeal to you, our beneficiaries and partners in education: the LBCC Library Adopt-a-Book Campaign. I am making a special appeal to your philanthropy and generosity, asking that you come to our aid as we grapple with the challenges of an unfavorable economy. As the holidays approach, and as I conclude my term as Library Department Head, I invite each of you to come forward and contribute any amount, from five dollars to two hundred dollars and more to restore our book purchasing power and replenish and refresh our aging collections. Ongoing contributions designated for the library through payroll deduction also are available. Either way, these are tax-deductable investments in the library's future that will benefit generations of students now and into the future. Please send your checks, payable to LBCC Foundation, to Adopt-a-Book Appeal, LBCC Foundation, 4901 East Carson Street, Mail Code B-12, Long Beach, CA 90808. Thank you for your support!
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