University Libraries

$7,082,110

On the ballot this November, New Mexico General Obligation (GO) Bond B will ask voters statewide to approve more than $7 million in funding for the state's public, school, tribal, college and university libraries to update their collections, equipment and databases.

Bond B is important to everyone in our state, because it will help libraries to acquire the materials and tools they need to effectively serve communities throughout our state.

In the July 12, 2010 commentary in the Santa Fe New Mexican ("Public libraries: We lose them at our peril"), Marilyn Johnson pointed out the paradox of nationwide library use increasing dramatically at a time when library funding is shrinking. In New Mexico, despite expanding information needs, many libraries are facing reduced hours and cuts in materials and staffing.

If passed, all academic libraries in the state will divide 2M of the 7M total for libraries. The final distribution will be based on FTE student enrollment but we estimate UNM libraries will receive:

Estimate for UNM Libraries
UNM Main$481,609
UNM HSLIC$10,887
UNM-Gallup$40,657
UNM Los Alamos$7,349
UNM Taos$17,032
UNM Valencia$29,004

The funds will be used for collections - print and electronic books, journals, media - and will be used for the technology needed to access the electronic resources.