For the first time in five years, the Samuel H. Coleman Memorial Library, the university’s main library, received an increase in funding that totaled its budget to $1.8 million.
In 2007, the library received $1.8 million in funding for renovations of specific floors and areas around the building. Since then, the library has sustained a budget of $800,000.
According to Brenda Wright, assistant director of collection management and development, a new resource budget will be used to sustain and renew database subscriptions and books as well as many other resources on the library’s five-year-long wish list. The collection management and development committee is responsible for making sure the library has any resources available to or requested by students.
“I’m glad we have this funding,” Wright said. “Without it, not as many books would have been bought and our supplies would have slipped down.”
The library is now able to buy more and up-to-date books for students. It is also able to buy the science and engineering medicine books, which are the most costly.
Aisha Gray, a fourth-year psychology student from Hollywood, Fla., said it is good that the funding is beneficial to the library.
“I think it’s good that the library has money,” Gray said. “If there are more books, then there are more references to do research.”
Thanks to the increase, the library has also extended its operation to 24 hours a day, five days a week.
“I’m glad the library extended its hours,” said Crystal Brown, a third-year pre-pharmacy student from North Lauderdale. “I won’t have to worry about getting work done before the library closes.”
The budget will also be used for the library’s branches, which include the Architecture Library, the Journalism and Graphic Communication Resources Center, the FAMU/FSU College of Engineering Reading Room and the Science Research Center Library.
“With this budget, we will be able to keep up with the mandate and our peers,” Wright said. “Our goal is to reach a 100 (percent) full-time equivalent. We are currently at 97.”
Wright also said the collection management and development committee is working to make sure that the funding is spent to benefit the students as much as possible.