TAMIU's Killam Library Makes Good on Promise to El Cenizo

Recently, Texas A&M International University's Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library faculty and executive officers of Literacy Volunteers of America-Laredo (LVA-Laredo) delivered more than 3,900 books to the El Cenizo Public Library.

By doing so, TAMIU successfully met the challenge, issued to both Texas A&M University and TAMIU by Pedro "Pete" Lara, Sr., assistant regional director of Texas A&M University's Colonias Program, to match University of Texas - Austin's book donations to the El Cenizo Public Library. After State Senator Judith Zaffirini's June announcement that she would help the library fill their shelves, more than 5,000 books were donated, approximately 2,500 from the UT-Austin community. The TAMIU community, with the support of Laredo community members, managed to beat UT-Austin's numbers by a healthy amount.

Rodney Webb, director of Killam Library, said he was extremely pleased with the results.

"It is so gratifying to see the community pull together to support such an important effort. I am extremely pleased the University could help bring this project to fruition and want to thank everyone who donated books and helped us out," said Webb.

About 2,100 of the donated books are young adult and children's books collected in a joint effort between LVA-Laredo and Killam Library, during United Way's "Make a Difference Day." Area schools and business were challenged to collect books and bring them to Mall Del Norte on October 26.

For more information, please contact Rodney Webb, director of Killam Library, at 326-2400, visit offices in Killam Library, room 216, or e-mail rwebb@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu