To Volunteer at the Trenton Public Library?

Faculty, staff, and students (in alphabetic order, rather than order of importance) face unprecedented challenges because of the economic crisis in the United States and around the world. Over the last year, tuitions have risen, salaries have fallen, and institutions have struggled to manage enrollments and endowments.

In late summer, faculty at The College of New Jersey learned that they would have to take seven furlough days in the 2009-2010 year, reducing their pay by 10%. The response was a mixture of anger, resentment, shock, disbelief, and resignation. But a number of faculty members took the opportunity, with Prof. David Blake's leadership, to use that furlough time productively and in a way that demonstrated the commitment of higher education professionals to their larger communities.

Sigma Tau Delta members (and moderators) have continued this volunteer effort, sorting hundreds of books for the Trenton Public Library book sale.

from Prof. Felicia Steele, moderator: When I went to the library the first time, I was struck by all the activity going on there, even though huge parts of the library were closed to the general public. Every computer was being used, teenagers were in the stacks reading books, and patrons of all ages were coming in and out. The library definitely seemed to be a happy hub in this community. It seemed like a perfect match between Sigma Tau Delta and a community service site.