New DSU Friends of the Library Established

A new Delaware State University Friends of the Library initiative has been launched and was highlighted recently during a reception on campus in support of DSU’s William C. Jason Library.

The April 9 reception was hosted by DSU President Harry L. Williams at his campus residence.  The Friends of the Library is a new initiative to bring awareness and resource support to the Jason Library at DSU.  The Friends of the Library will work to increase and engage supporters to raise funds to help the library meet the technology and learning needs of the students and faculty that use the facility.

The Friends of the Library’s support will help the library to maintain its professional publications databases to support the research and instruction needs of the faculty.  “It is my desire that the University Library realize an engaged research agenda as a model research library,” said Dr. Rebecca Batson, dean of the University Libraries. “The Friends of the Library is an initiative that will engage supporters, friends, community, and university leaders to help raise the visibility and effectiveness of the library and help it reach its goals.”

Prior to the reception, the Jason Library held an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on that same day as part of the new organization’s inauguration.  Tours of the library were held and there were also poetry readings of original works presented by DSU alumnae Vanessa Nesbit and Dianne Bogle.

Anyone interested in showing support for the William C. Jason Library can contact the DSU Office of Development at (302) 857-6055,

William C. Jason, the namesake of the library, was the president of the then-State College for Colored Students (later DSU) from 1895 to 1923.