Great libraries have great collections. This is the heart of the “2 million volumes by 2012” campaign launched by the library this fall.

“We want to position NMSU in the top quartile among our peer institutions,” says Library Dean Elizabeth Titus. “As part of a doctoral/research intensive university, the library is committed to making sure that we have the best resources available for our student, faculty and community researchers. To be successful in this effort, we need to focus on building depth and breadth in our book collections.”

The soft portion of this campaign began July 1, 2008. At that time the collection totaled 1,776,709 volumes. By April 30, it had grown to 1,792,333, leaving a little over 200,000 volumes to acquire.

In the current year the library budgeted $50,000 to purchase 740 new books from those frequently requested through the Interlibrary Loan service. Four existing endowments’ annual earnings are used to purchase books on a variety of different subjects.

Beyond that the library wants to strengthen specific subject areas: sustainability, water resources, sustainable agriculture, New Mexico and local history and special collections, preferably rare books from the 1800s. Additionally, three new academic areas (bioinformatics, genetics and aerospace engineering) require building new collections to serve those studying in these areas.

Private funds to purchase new books along with gift-in-kind donations will help meet the overall goal. Kristina Martinez, library development officer, is hoping that all colleges will incorporate this initiative in their annual fund campaigns. The average cost of a book in these subject areas is $75, she says.

“Working together we can make it happen,” Martinez says.

For more information, contact Martinez at (575) 646-3642 or krismart@nmsu.edu.