Naming shelves to fill them with books

While former Windward CC Chancellor, and current Arizona resident, Angela Meixell had not been back to visit the campus since the new Library Learning Commons (LLC) opened, her commitment to the campus and its community remained strong. “Our son visited last January, and a faculty “auntie” took him to tour the new building.” He told me, “It’s a beautiful building Mom, but there are many empty shelves. They need more books.” 

The Meixells decided that they wanted to help. Interim Head Librarian Tara Severns suggested that they support the READ (reading-for fun) section. “The more someone reads, no matter what it is, the better they become at reading.” Severns continued, “The better they become at reading, the better they become at writing, both essential skills for student success.”

There are a range of naming opportunities (including bookshelves and rooms) available for donors who support the endowment for the LLC. Chancellor Meixell decided to name two bookshelves; one in memory of her sister and another for her and her husband Timothy. In addition to her gift in support of the endowment, she gave an additional gift to buy books for the READ section.

Catherine Wilson, the first librarian of Windward CC has also made a gift to support the Library endowment. A plaque in memory of her daughter has been mounted on a bookshelf on the upper floor to honor her daughter’s love of anthropology.

Also placing her plaque on a bookshelf is Windward CC alumna and longtime donor Barbara Kahana. Barbara has great aloha for the campus and the educational opportunities it afforded her when she came back to college as a 'non-traditional' student. Her support of the campus extends beyond the Library Learning Commons, and includes a scholarship.

All bookshelf namings, as well as other permanent naming spaces within the facility, support the Library Endowment. Funds from the endowment enable the Library to maintain online research source materials, on-site reading and research materials, as well as operational needs such as computers and other learning equipment that 21^st Century students utilize on a daily basis.