{"id":233097,"date":"2026-03-23T21:18:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T21:18:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/233097\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T21:18:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T21:18:10","slug":"california-faculty-association-petition-urges-sacramento-state-leaders-and-community-members-to-reinstate-library-funding-the-state-hornet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/233097\/","title":{"rendered":"California Faculty Association petition urges Sacramento State leaders and community members to reinstate library funding \u2013 The State Hornet"},"content":{"rendered":"

The California Faculty Association is calling out to students and community members through a letter of demand and petition<\/a> against funding cuts to save Sacramento State\u2019s library.<\/p>\n

Last semester, the library faced an 11% decrease<\/a> in funding, creating more restrictions in their services and ability to properly upkeep the facility. As the library continues to face these issues, the CFA sent an open letter to President Luke Wood and Provost Erika Cameron urging them to take action.<\/p>\n

This petition to campus leaders calls for the adherence to three specific demands: a promise to restore the University Library\u2019s materials and operations budget in Spring 2026 without cuts to other colleges, funding for academic affairs continues as a priority, and the administration be fully transparent around budgeting issues for all involved.<\/p>\n

A collection of campus and community members called out Sac State for not prioritizing the library through funding and, therefore, keeping them from their \u201ccore mission of teaching and learning.\u201d The letter further stated that funding cuts have impacted their ability to maintain crucial resources, such as $472,953 worth in cuts to databases, periodicals and other learning tools for students.<\/p>\n

Michelle Willard, Sac State\u2019s public information officer, shared a letter from Wood and Cameron to all faculty and staff on March 4. The letter shared the university\u2019s plan to dedicate $3 million of its total return portfolio allocation from the Chancellor\u2019s Office to support the renovations and improvements of the library over the next three fiscal years.<\/p>\n

It additionally stated that Library Dean Amy Kautzman will lead this process of community engagement to identify the highest priorities, along with library faculty being central to the conversation.<\/p>\n

The petitioners said these cuts significantly restrict the library\u2019s ability to aid students and the community with research, activities and teaching materials. The cuts have also resulted in a cut back on library operating hours, affecting students who rely on the library for course-required books, sourcing material for homework, a quiet study environment and student employment.<\/p>\n

RELATED: University Library sees 11% decrease in funding for 2025-26 year <\/a><\/p>\n

Sam Russell, a senior anthropology major, regularly uses the library for study material, as a meeting spot for classmates and a quiet place to get away from the busy atmosphere of campus. Russell said they noticed the hours<\/a> decrease last semester, when using the library\u2019s model skeleton to study. They faced restrictions on the weekends due to earlier closing times and during the facility\u2019s closure over winter break.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was detrimental when it was closed over break,\u201d Russell said. \u201cIt would have been nice to have another place besides my house to get prepared for the next semester.\u201d<\/p>\n

They said this experience led them to look into the library\u2019s changes, especially after learning about the funding petition in the library. They said this inspired them to post on social media<\/a> and encourage peers to support the cause.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s important for students to know what\u2019s being challenged, like losing funding, especially something as important as the library databases that we\u2019re losing access to,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n

In addition to the lack of accessibility and resources, some students have noticed physical detriments to the library facility. Austin Hoover, a senior history major, said he noticed water damage among the shelves when strolling the book aisles on the fourth floor.<\/p>\n

\"\"Assumed water damage to rows of the University Library\u2019s books was documented by senior history major Austin Hoover upon returning to campus in spring 2026. Before winter break, Hoover noticed the damage in the University Library on the fourth level in rows six and seven, making him concerned for the facility and its future state. (Photo courtesy of Austin Hoover)<\/p>\n

He said he first saw the damage just before Thanksgiving last year and commented on it to library staff and friends. When coming back in the spring, he noticed it hadn\u2019t been fixed over winter break and grew concerned and frustrated over the lack of attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur library is literally the center of the campus and an incredible resource,\u201d Hoover said. \u201cOur master\u2019s and doctorate programs aren\u2019t going to go anywhere if we aren\u2019t able to acquire new books or even maintain the building our current books are kept in.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he considers pursuing his master\u2019s degree and possibly his doctorate in the future, Hoover said that these issues have seriously made him reconsider doing so at Sac State.<\/p>\n

Both Hoover and Russell drew attention to the increased focus of sports related events on campus, mentioning that they would rather have this level of attention directed to properly maintaining facilities like the library.<\/p>\n

As the CFA petition directly calls the attention of Wood, students like Hoover feel exhausted by the lack of action he has shown. Hoover described the library as the heart of campus and posed a question to those in charge that urges them to readjust their priorities.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs literally letting the center of campus decay, in order to prop up institutions that provide little worth to the students who are here to learn and get their degrees, really worth it?\u201d Hoover said.<\/p>\n

The CFA was unavailable to respond to further questions about the petition but stated in the letter that the university should remember it is not an enterprise and should put more focus on quality education.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe quality of students\u2019 education and resources is an essential factor, one that all students should be aware of especially in times of need,\u201d the CFA wrote.<\/p>\n