[AL-Directors] FW: State Library response to loss of faculty librarians at Linn-Benton Community College

[CORNELISEN Wendy * SLO]

Like many of you, I was shocked to hear that the Linn-Benton Community College would choose to cut three faculty librarian positions from their staff. I've sent the attached letter to the President of the Linn-Benton Community College, urging a reconsideration of this decision. The school has cited budget concerns as a reason to eliminate 3 faculty librarian positions, which will greatly impact the services available to both students and to faculty.


Given the number of community colleges across the state, and knowing that some colleges (like this one in Vermont<Vermont%20%20https:/www.insidehighered.com/news/2023/02/16/backlash-university-says-its-library-will-be-all-digital>) have considered removing the library entirely, it is important to take a firm stance on this issue.



My thanks to Buzzy, Arlene, Jennifer Cox and Tamara Ottum for their help crafting this letter, which includes numerous examples of the impact and dedication shown by the librarians at LBCC. There is a narrow window to reverse this decision. Hopeful these words can help in that endeavor.

Please let me know if there are any questions.


Thanks,

Wendy

Wendy Cornelisen (she, her, hers)
State Librarian
State Library of Oregon
wendy.cornelisen at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:wendy.cornelisen at slo.oregon.gov>
Office: 503-378-4367| Mobile 971-375-3992
www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>
Follow us: Facebook<http://fb.me/StateLibraryOR> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/StateLibraryOR> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/statelibraryor/> | Pinterest<https://pinterest.com/statelibraryor/> | YouTube<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-kU8Gu0jS_YcnXg-b_TRA/featured>
[Title: State Library of Oregon]




From: CORNELISEN Wendy * SLO
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2023 5:03 PM
To: averyl at linnbenton.edu
Cc: CANNON Ben * HECC <Ben.CANNON at hecc.oregon.gov>; winderk at linnbenton.edu; buchela at linnbenton.edu; donna.j.lewelling at hecc.oregon.gov; sonny at nwccu.org; mthoreson at nwccu.org
Subject: State Library response to loss of faculty librarians at Linn-Benton Community College

Dr. Avery,

Attached please find the State Library's full response to the elimination of three faculty librarian positions at your institution. While budget constraints are never easy, removing librarians will have an out-sized impact on all of your students.

Community colleges are a key path to education for some of the most underserved and under-resourced communities in Oregon, and are an especially critical gateway for first-generation college students. Often, students from underserved groups need additional support to navigate higher education. The faculty librarians at LBCC have shown themselves not only to be excellent librarians, but also critical navigators for some of the most vulnerable students at LBCC. We hope that you will reconsider your decision to cut these expert professionals who are so important to student and faculty success.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Sincerely,

Wendy Cornelisen (she, her, hers)
State Librarian
State Library of Oregon
wendy.cornelisen at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:wendy.cornelisen at slo.oregon.gov>
Office: 503-378-4367| Mobile 971-375-3992
www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>
Follow us: Facebook<http://fb.me/StateLibraryOR> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/StateLibraryOR> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/statelibraryor/> | Pinterest<https://pinterest.com/statelibraryor/> | YouTube<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-kU8Gu0jS_YcnXg-b_TRA/featured>
[Title: State Library of Oregon]

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