Because of its importance for academic support, UAC-Carmen Pampa identified its Library as a priority for improvement and development in the coming years. In response, St. Kate's faculty members made their first visit to the UAC campus in March 2001. Another visit was made in July 2004.

The UAC Library supports the college curriculum in the fields of nursing, agronomy, veterinary science and education. There are 2 libraries on the college's campus -- the upper campus houses the agronomy and veterinary collections, while the lower campus holds the nursing and education collections. There are over 1,600 titles in the entire collection, which is primarily in Spanish.

 

In 2002, the physical space of the library was expanded, new shelves were installed, and the collection was opened for browsing. The library also added new tables, chairs and computer workstations. A new librarian was also hired, Ms. Olga Jemio Calle. Ms. Jemio and Mr. Antonio Pampa comprised the library staff until Mr. Pampa's death in June 2003. Volunteers and work study students also staff the libraries, which are open daily.

In 2003, construction of a new classroom building was completed on the lower campus, and portions of the collections were moved into this facility. Internet access continues to be a challenge, and there will never be enough books to fill the need.

Olga Jemio visited St. Catherine University for six weeks during the spring of 2003. She learned skills in the circulation, technical services and public services areas of the St. Kate's library, visited other libraries in the Twin Cities, including school and other special libraries, and took English classes.

To gain experience working in a small library, Olga worked for five weeks in the library of the Resource Center of the Americas, a Minneapolis agency serving Latinos in the Twin Cities area.

Olga now coordinates library operations, including budgets and instruction, for the UAC libraries.

If you would like more information about the UAC-Carmen Pampa Library, please send an email to Kathi Rickert, at: kdrickert@stkate.edu , or call 651-690-8738.

To make a donation to the UAC Library, the best idea is to make a tax deductible donation to the Carmen Pampa Fund. If you wish, you can designate that your contribution be used for the Library. To donate books in Spanish or other library supplies, please speak with Kathi Rickert (email and phone number above).

All photos by Kathi Rickert