From Brooke Sheldon, SIRLS Director

Well folks, the past three months have been the roller coaster ride of the decade for SIRLS. After a very successful COA visit and program review, we were just settling down to make some needed improvements in curriculum and student services, when, in January 2003, the axe fell, and we were placed on the President's "Elimination List."

In late April the Provost removed us from the elimination list. That was most excellent news, but the fabulous frosting on the cake was the announcement on May 17th that Linda Whitaker ('2002) and her husband Dr. Duane Whitaker will make a deferred gift of $1.5 million to SIRLS as part of their estate plan. WOW! The gift will support three professorships for SIRLS. The gift will make all the difference in securing the future of SIRLS. What wonderful alumni we have!

Linda Whitaker has been a very active part of the SAVE SIRLS group of friends, alumni and students that worked so hard to change the preliminary decision of the President and Provost. Lisa Bunker, Ginger Cullen and Christine Dykgraaf spearheaded that hard-working group, which met weekly to assess the situation and plan the gala J.A. Jance Benefit Dinner. The dinner raised over $15,000 for scholarships, a wonderful accomplishment.

The Whitaker's gift is a huge impetus to SIRLS fundraising efforts. The School has also received significant gifts from the Trejo Foundation for Knowledge River Endowed Scholarships in memory of Professor Arnulfo Trejo, who has been nationally recognized by many groups for his leadership in bringing Hispanics into the Library Profession. Professor Emerita Margaret Maxwell has contributed an Endowed Scholarship for a student who wants to become a cataloger, and the Tocker Foundation has announced it will contribute an endowment for scholarships. The Arizona State Library is providing major funds for a new faculty member and $50,000 in scholarship funds for Knowledge River for two years. Several libraries, led by the University of Arizona Library and the Tucson-Pima Public Library, have created partnerships with SIRLS to fund internships for Knowledge River students.

The tide could not have turned without the support of the Arizona State Library (Gladys Ann Wells) and Carla Stoffle, Dean of the Libraries and Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona. All of these efforts plus individual contributions, both financial and letters of support, from alumni and the Arizona professional community have made a substantive difference in securing the future of SIRLS. A thousand thanks to you who are not only saving SIRLS but also inspiring us to build a school which you can all be proud.

Final note: If you are going to be in Toronto at ALA, come help us celebrate at the Cooperative School Reunion, June 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Westin Harbour Castle, Pier 4 & 5. Hope to see you there!

Brooke Sheldon

May 21, 2003