ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


403

Letters
Golden gifts from  alum ni
To the Editor:

The Hemingway Library at Bradford College 
has gone one step farther in innovative uses o f 
class gifts: the Fiftieth Class Reunion Gift. Start­
ing in 1991, the Class o f 1941 was approached 
to fund a new Periodicals Room for the library 
in honor o f their fiftieth reunion. The idea was 
such a success and the room so attractive that 
the Class o f 1942 then wanted to do a gift. At 
that time the library wished to automate Circu­
lation. The old circulation desk was unattrac­
tive and its layout not conducive to computers 
and barcode readers. Money was raised by the 
Class o f 1942 for a custom-designed circulation 
desk and a new 3M security system as well.

When reading Jinnie Davis’s article on Class 
Gifts (April 1993), I had to agree with the 
amount o f work the library must take on to 
make the class gift a reality. First, the librarians 
must have ideas and plans for projects. The 
chairperson of the class is the fundraiser, but the 
librarians are responsible to make the plan work.

For example, ideas for furniture, shelving, secu­
rity system vendors, and plans for the circulation 
desk were all my responsibility. I reported to the 
Reunion Committee but I performed the work of 
creating the gift with the money raised. Also, rec­
ognition o f the gift by the class was tremendously 
important. The new Periodicals Room not only had 
a plaque hung in the room recognizing the gift of 
the Class o f 1941, but the room was named for the 
class and the name put on the glass panel leading 
to the room. Similarly, a plaque was placed above 
the circulation desk naming the Class of 1942 as 
the donors. Each class was recognized and the gift 
dedicated during Alumni weekend in October. A 
dedication ceremony was held and a tea in the class’s 
honor was presided over by the library director.

More alumni have a warm feeling for the 
library and respond to gifts for the library. Also, 
class gifts have established a real bond between 
the alumni and the library staff. It is very excit­
ing to meet alumni who were here 50 years 
ago and to hear them reminisce about the col­
lege and the library. The Fiftieth Class Reunion 
is indeed a memorable occasion and at Bradford 
College it is now  made even more memorable 
by the Class Gift.— Ruth Hooten, library direc­
tor, Bradford College, Bradford, Massachusetts

You can judge a  magazine by its cover
To the Editor:

I just wanted to tell you how much I liked 
the cover o f the last C&RL News [Gosling’s paint­
ing o f St. Ann Street in N ew  Orleans], Use o f 
the colorful covers has made the publication 
eye-catching and attractive.—Jinnie Y. Davis, 
assistant director f o r  p la n n in g and research, 
North Carolina State University Libraries, Ra­
leigh.

M ile-high rep ly
T o the Editor:

With regard to Virginia Daley’s letter (May 1993) 
I might ask why Ms. Daley does not, did not pro­
test attacks, desecration by homosexuals at Saint 
Patrick’s Cathedral and too many other churches. 
Why not inderdict [sic] cities in which homosexuals 
arrogantly cause havoc and flaunt their. . . .  I await 
her response and explanation! Citizens still, thank 
God, have a right to vote. In spite of Ms. Daley, and 
ALA. I say on to Denver and Colorado.— Virgil F. 
Massman, Saint Paul, Minnesota