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Campus News - May 7, 2001 |
Ford powers library's $1 million better idea
By Carolyn Gonzales
For a decade, library Dean Robert Migneault has envisioned an Information Commons
in Zimmerman Library. Ford Motor Company, the better idea company,
fuels Migneaults plan by committing $400,000 to drive the plan forward.
With the commitment from Ford, I am delighted to announce the coordinated
sponsorship of more than $1 million to upgrade the UNM General Library with
telecommunication and technology combined with traditional library resources,
says Migneault.
Ford Motor Company helped to make an online training room in Zimmerman Library
a reality through the librarys portion of the $3 million Ford contributed
to UNM. Now, through stronger relationships and a greater understanding
and appreciation of the services the library provides and wants to provide,
Ford Motor Company Executive John Mendel is willing to commit additional funds
to the UNM General Library specifically so that the Information Commons can
become a reality in Zimmerman Library, says Migneault.
Migneault says that revenue from the Student Fee Review Board (SFRB) this year,
$160,000, was specifically given with the Infocommons in mind. The students
were vocal about the fee money going toward services they wanted from the library.
Included in the plans for the Commons is a coffee shop the students stressed
they want in the library, he says.
The SFRB is providing other revenue for the Information Commons, as well. In
1989, the first year the library got SFRB funding, Migneault persuaded the SFRB
to establish a $300,000 endowment. We kept that money under lock and key
until the day we could provide a student service with it. We have allowed the
endowment to accrue interest and now $250,000 is available to put toward the
Commons, he says, adding that no additional SFRB money was ever added
to the original $300,000.
Tobias Duran, director, Center for Regional Studies, has earmarked more than
$500,000 specifically for the Commons, says Migneault, who adds that administrative
activities involving Facilities Planning, hiring an architect and having a proposal
need to be completed by December 2001 so that visible remodeling can begin
early next year in January 2002, he says.
This project has been accomplished thus far, says Migneault, because of vision,
tenacity and discipline coupled with active development work, philanthropy and
an appreciation for better ideas.
The success could not have happened without student support, the spectacular fundraising achievements of Doris Rhodes, a contract agent working with Ford Motor Company, Julie Emons, the librarys outstanding development officer, who has supported this project since she came on board last summer and the Center for Regional Studies, says Migneault.
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