4/9/98

ATHENS, Ohio -- Officials from Ohio University and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on Thursday dedicated a first-of-its-kind library for AFSCME employees at the Facilities Management Building.

"This is the first facility of its kind in Ohio and it may be the first of its kind in the country," William Endsley, president of AFSCME Ohio Council 8, saidat the dedication. "This library will make a big difference for employees. It's a valuable tool to help Ohio University improve their lives and our goal is to have all university employees use it."

A variety of training and resource materials are housed in the center, including the "Time-Life Improvement Series," the Prentice-Hall "Wheels of Learning" series, interactive CD-ROMs, computer training videos and trade magazines and journals.

"This library symbolizes the cooperation between the university and AFSCME," said President Robert Glidden. "As time goes on, jobs are becoming more complicated and facilities like this will become more important. This is a demonstration that the university and AFSCME are forming a bond to make this the best university that they can."

Charlie Adkins, a mason at the university and president of AFSCME Local 1699, contributed $450 from Adkins family members to the library in honor of his late brother, Tommy Adkins Jr. Endsley contributed $500 from AFSCME.

Creation of the library was stipulated in the last bargaining agreement between AFSCME and the university.