Libraries
Baskets for Books Benefit Library Collections for Second Year
The Baskets for Books fundraiser, a collaboration between University Libraries and University Athletics, ended with the incredibly successful WIU basketball season, after raising a total of $1,539. All of the money raised will go toward the purchase of books for the Libraries.
Participants in the fundraiser could pledge to donate for every three-point shot made at WIU basketball home games. In total, that amounted to 126 shots for the men鈥檚 team and 262 for the women鈥檚 team. Participants could choose to pledge for either team or for both; for those that pledged for both teams, the final count was 227 shots total.
The funds raised will go towards new and updated volumes for the Libraries鈥� main reference collection. Volumes to be purchased cover a wide variety of topics, and include the Encyclopedia of Native Tribes of North America, the 2016-2017 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, and 鈥淰ideo Games Around the World.鈥�
鈥淭his was a great basketball season at WIU,鈥� said Suzanne Woodward, director of development for the Libraries. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud of the teams for their hard work, and grateful to our donors whose pledges helped improve our collections.鈥�
Assistant Director of Athletics for Development Michael Jones said this is a valuable partnership for WIU Athletics.
"Academic excellence is of the utmost importance to both WIU Athletics and our student-athletes. So it just makes sense for us to partner with University Libraries to provide academic resources for all Leathernecks. We are thrilled with this year鈥檚 total and would like to thank all those who contributed.鈥�
For more information about supporting WIU Libraries, contact Suzanne Woodward at S-Woodward@wiu.edu or (309) 298-2356.