The Glassboro Public Library is available for student use, situated behind Angelo's diner and the Comic Book Store. -Photo Editor/Amanda Palma
Papers, a graduate thesis, even basic research or genealogy projects all require background information found from books, documents and other sources. Where are many of these sources located?
Libraries. These storehouses of knowledge contain not only books but computer databases, documents, newspapers, articles and other journals that are invaluable.
Libraries are a dying breed. Government funding is going elsewhere, like museums and sports arenas, while libraries are being ignored like relics of the past. Every day, local libraries are deteriorating. Their roofs are leaking, damaging the valuable and sometimes ancient secrets kept inside.
The local Glassboro Public Library, which is tucked away on the border of Rowan’s campus behind the Comic Book Store, is experiencing similar problems.
Many students are not aware that Glassboro has its own library, since even the Campbell Library can be under-utilized.
Junior English and writing arts major Rachel Barton highlighted the convenience of modern-day internet research.
“I don’t really use the library,” she said. “It is just easier to sit in my dorm and do research on my laptop.”
Retired Rowan professor, publisher and Glassboro Council member Mary Lee Donahue recently wrote a proposal for the restoration of the Glassboro library.
“The roof is leaking all over the place,” she said. “I fear the floor [will] flood a little too with a heavy rain… If that building were to give out, there are valuable documents and original town plans in there that would be lost forever.”
Donahue also pointed out that the humidity presents a health hazard for the staff and visitors, as humidity breeds mold and mildew and places toxins in the air. The council has proposed a budget that will be voted on in coming months, and funding for the library will be decided.
A task force of local residents and politicians was formed to handle this situation.
Rowan officials are also involved. Rowan’s Senior Vice President Robert Zazzali is a member of the task force. President Ali Houshmand joined Zazzali and Vice President for Facilities Donald Moore at an August meeting with the task force to express their concern and discuss possible solutions.
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