More than 150 give books in Tinian library book drive

The Northern Marianas College’s library on Tinian recently received a cache of books donated by more than 150 people during a book drive held on the island.

NMC Tinian Campus librarian Richard Creecy said the room being used for the library was jampacked with books and, with a new public library opening in 2005, more books are needed for both the new building and for the educational library.

Elementary and secondary educators were the most generous. Top donors included Ed Temengil and Chris Zuccaro, Rosa Santos, John Sutfin, Carmen Farrell, Julian Hofschneider, Thelma Cing, Sisters of Saint Joseph’s Academy, Elaine Lang, and many others.

Corporate contributors included Telesource ($3,000) for Applied Science books; Tinian Dynasty, for shipping books from Saipan to Tinian; Saipan Tribune for subscription; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and the Fleming family for books in memory of Connie Fleming Powers.

Creecy said that Saipan librarians have also taken a special interest in Tinian, much to the benefit of the library. He cited Paul Steere, Kevin Latham, former Saipan first lady Janet Sablan, Roy Rechebei, Erlinda Naputi, Wendy Sullivan, Tony Goodbaad, Nancy Neilson, Nancy Weil, Art Sondheim, Ruth Tighe and more than 15 others.

Creecy acknowledged Tinian Mayor Francisco Borja as foremost among the supporters of library services on Tinian, as well as the Tinian Legislative Delegation and the Tinian Municipal Council. He said they have been generous in providing annual financial support since the library was founded in 1996.

He also cited Bill Cing, current chair of the Tinian Gaming Commission and former administrator of NMC Tinian Campus, for his ongoing support. Creecey credits Cing as the library’s founder.

Don Farrell was also acknowledged “for his extraordinarily generous donation of precious books on the Marianas and the Pacific.”

Creecey said others who helped make the book drive a success include Tinian first lady Bernie San Nicolas, chief of staff Alan Perez, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Long, Annamarie Perez, Janet King, Tinian Health Center Doctors Tan, Human, Phillips, Sullivan, Van Havre and others, Rita Manglona, Ike Quichocho, Department of Historical Preservation, Loren Sutton, Jose Cruz, Juanita Mendiola, Lucy Blanco-Maratita, David Maratita, J. P. San Nicolas, Ben Manglona, Ray Cing, Richard Farrell and Celina Castro, James Mendiola, Jr., Corinne Hofschneider Santos, among others.

Northern Marianas College is an integral part of the Tinian community, Creecey said, and many of those who helped the library have also taught or worked at the college.

He said Howard Cole and Beverly Battaglia have donated or recommended hundreds of books for the library since 1996. Maria Hofschneider Aguon, current NMC program coordinator and former PSS teacher and International Reading Association leader, has helped the library grow. Herman Sablan and Steven Hill, who have already left Tinian , left behind some good books so their work continues.

CREES staff members have all been helpful, especially Laurence Duponcheel, Alan Saldanica, Luke Delacruz, Marlin van Der Veen and Winnie Matsumoto.

“Sue Palacios and Percy Cing have not only donated material and valuable administrative services, they have encouraged their children to use the library often,” Creecey said.

Mary Asper, Vince Riley, Bill Bingham, Geri Willis, Melody Actouka, Nancy Flood, Rik Villegas, Ed Zehr, Jerry Smith and Fran Ascencio are among a long list of NMC instructors who have taken a special interest in library services on Tinian. Almost all of the dozens of adjunct instructors have added to the collection with books and recommendations.

“As long as this list is, many more people deserve a heartfelt si yu’us maase for their selfless willingness to share books, money and/or time with the Tinian community. This generosity has helped the collection grow. More importantly, this involvement has created a good beginning to a collection that reflects the community’s interests and wants,” he said.

For those who would like to help, talk to some of the library friends mentioned above or call Creecy at 433-0504.