Stop the Library Purge and Safeguard UNH's 300,000 books
The Issue
Over the summer, the University of New Hampshire quietly announced that they were removing, or better put, destroying 300,000 books from the Diamond Library. My heart sank when I learned about this. This decision greatly neglects the profound impact that physical books have had and continue to have on countless students and members of the community.
The university asserts that it is adapting to an evolving "information landscape" by repurposing library spaces to "better suit the campus and our students." However, this rationale is difficult to justify when faculty and students have been given little to no opportunity to engage in an open dialogue about a decision directly affecting them.
Libraries are more than just places that house book collections; they are sanctuaries of knowledge, history, and culture. This is especially evident in today's digital age where fleeting online content can never replace the lasting touch of a printed book.
Discarding these invaluable resources - many of which exist only in print or represent the scholarship of UNH's own faculty and alumni - threatens to erase decades of accumulated knowledge, and research contributions. Furthermore, it's a disservice to future generations of students who will be deprived of the experience of holding a physical book, which often sparks curiosity and critical thinking in ways that digital media cannot replicate.
Protecting these books is not about preserving "nostalgia," as one member of the university administration put it when asked about this subject. It is about safeguarding an essential part of student's education.
Traditional books expose students to unique materials that are often absent from digital platforms. They are not just an outdated resource or "low-use items," as the university administration so harshly states.
Rather than purging these books, the university should consider alternative solutions that both preserve resources and meet modern needs.
Join me in urging UNH's administration to halt this ill-considered book purge. I ask both my fellow peers and book lovers to sign this petition today to implore decision-makers at UNH to protect the 300,000 books that enrich our university and community.
387
The Issue
Over the summer, the University of New Hampshire quietly announced that they were removing, or better put, destroying 300,000 books from the Diamond Library. My heart sank when I learned about this. This decision greatly neglects the profound impact that physical books have had and continue to have on countless students and members of the community.
The university asserts that it is adapting to an evolving "information landscape" by repurposing library spaces to "better suit the campus and our students." However, this rationale is difficult to justify when faculty and students have been given little to no opportunity to engage in an open dialogue about a decision directly affecting them.
Libraries are more than just places that house book collections; they are sanctuaries of knowledge, history, and culture. This is especially evident in today's digital age where fleeting online content can never replace the lasting touch of a printed book.
Discarding these invaluable resources - many of which exist only in print or represent the scholarship of UNH's own faculty and alumni - threatens to erase decades of accumulated knowledge, and research contributions. Furthermore, it's a disservice to future generations of students who will be deprived of the experience of holding a physical book, which often sparks curiosity and critical thinking in ways that digital media cannot replicate.
Protecting these books is not about preserving "nostalgia," as one member of the university administration put it when asked about this subject. It is about safeguarding an essential part of student's education.
Traditional books expose students to unique materials that are often absent from digital platforms. They are not just an outdated resource or "low-use items," as the university administration so harshly states.
Rather than purging these books, the university should consider alternative solutions that both preserve resources and meet modern needs.
Join me in urging UNH's administration to halt this ill-considered book purge. I ask both my fellow peers and book lovers to sign this petition today to implore decision-makers at UNH to protect the 300,000 books that enrich our university and community.
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Petition created on October 28, 2026