The 8th Annual Love Your Libraries 5K Fun Run and Walk, sponsored by the

Graduate Student Association, raised $4,500 for the UT library system this

Spring.

The race, held Feb. 12, was coordinated by 1999-2000 GSA Vice President,

Emily Harris, to demonstrate student concerns for the loss of periodical

subscriptions at the campus libraries. The UT Athletic Dept., also a

sponsor for the Fun Run, matched funds to those raised, thus making the

total contribution $9000.

In 1992, graduate students saw that in times of rapidly changing technology

it was possible to work together to aid in the purchasing of equipment and

materials needed to take the university into the future.

Jim Schwab, president of the GSA, feels the library is important to all

students at UT.

“It provides countless research and other resources for us (students),

particularly graduate students, who benefit greatly from the library,” said

Schwab. “Therefore, it is extremely important for the GSA to raise money

through the annual event for this academic research center on our

campus.”

In addition to being a significant part of student study, the UT libraries

benefit all members of the community. Everyone can learn from the vast

resources of information found within the walls of the library.

A large percentage of the 119 runners and walkers participating in the race

were not students at all. Rather, they were concerned alumni and citizens

of the surrounding areas who wanted to do their part to encourage learning

in the coming years.

The winner of the race was Sam Krieg, who timed in at 15:44 minutes.