Friends of the Sojourner Truth Library

Welcome to the Friends of Sojourner Truth Library

Books for Books

You can turn your used books into new books for the college library collection by donating them to the BOOKS FOR BOOKS campaign. All books donated to the Friends of the Library are sold at semi-annual used book sales to raise funds for library acquisitions. Sales generally take place in late fall and in mid-spring.

Since 1998, approximately 300 individuals and groups, including academic and administrative departments on campus, faculty, emeriti, staff, students, parents, alumni, community members, local businesses, have contributed to this program. The proceeds have totaled more than $30,000.

Donations of books, as well as other media including videos, DVDs, CDs, computer games, and software, are accepted year-round. Please bring your donations to the Check-out Desk at the Sojourner Truth Library any time the library is open.

For more information about this program or sale announcements, please contact Morgan Gwenwald (phone: 845-257-3677; email: gwenwalm@newpaltz.edu) or Erin Barnard (phone: 845-257-3679; email: barnarde@newpaltz.edu).

Honor with Books

Friends Events

At various times throughout the year the Friends sponsor public talks, entertainments, used book sales and exhibitions. Some of these events are coupled with special donor recognition receptions to celebrate the "margin of excellence" that Friends' contributions make possible at the Sojourner Truth Library. Below are reports of some recent events.

Annual Dennis O’Keefe Memorial Lecture

Established in 2007 to honor Dennis O’Keefe, ’73, a long-time staff member of the Sojourner Truth Library, who positively impacted the lives of thousands of New Paltz students, staff, faculty and community members. Dennis also served with the New Paltz Volunteer Fire Department. The Annual Lecture, dedicated to his memory, will celebrate an aspect of his wide range of interests and contributions.

First Annual Dennis O'Keefe Memorial Lecture – Steven G. Poskanzer, President, SUNY New Paltz speaking on "The Role of the University in Society" October 23, 2007.

Friends of Sojourner Truth Library Events
Francine Prose

Chui-chun Lee, director of the Sojourner Truth Library
with SUNY New Paltz President Steven G. Poskanzer.

An Evening wtih Francine Prose - April 17, 2008

Early Dutch Buildings in America Lecture– November 9, 2006

An Evening with John Darnton– November 9, 2005

An Evening with Roger Kahn– April 26, 2004

An Evening with Nicholas Basbanes–November 13, 2003