Retired Professor Launches Fund to Empower APS Readers

Richard Van Dongen honors his late wife, a former district librarian, by bringing relevant, student-driven books to school shelves.

A new chapter in literacy is beginning for students in Albuquerque Public Schools, thanks to a legacy of commitment and generosity from two of Albuquerque's most dedicated educators.

Retired University of New Mexico professor Richard Van Dongen established the "Van Dongen Books Kids Want to Read Fund" through the APS Education Foundation with a $100,000 donation earlier this month. The fund honors his late wife, Barbara Chamberlin Van Dongen, and their lifelong partnership in education. In a testament to their enduring devotion to the district, Richard Van Dongen has also pledged a portion of his legacy gift to support the fund.

"This is an extraordinary gift for our students," said APS Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey. "Literacy is the foundation for everything we do, and this donation will help us engage students and foster their love of reading. Words cannot express how grateful we are to the Van Dongens for this generous gift."

Both Richard and Barbara were born and raised in Albuquerque and spent their professional lives championing student learning. Barbara Van Dongen, who passed away in 2016, earned her undergraduate degree at Stanford University and then went on to the University of Maryland, where she received her PhD in Library and Information Sciences. She worked as a classroom teacher and librarian at APS before rising to the position of Head of District Library Services. Her husband, Richard, began his career in elementary education at APS before returning to the University of New Mexico to earn a doctorate in education and eventually stepping into senior leadership in UNM's College of Education.

"Both educators dedicated their long careers to the education of teachers and students in Albuquerque and beyond," said APS Education Foundation Executive Director Shannon Barnhill. "This spirit of commitment continues through the Van Dongen Books Kids Want to Read Fund."

The initiative addresses a persistent challenge in education: ensuring school library collections remain current, relevant and engaging. The fund provides resources directly to library staff, allowing them to purchase popular literature, graphic novels, the latest nonfiction, and other genres that resonate with today's students.

"This gift will provide APS students a say in the books they have in their school libraries," said Rachel Altobelli, senior director of Library Services at APS. "Keeping school library collections current, relevant and inspiring can be a challenge without easily accessible funding."

The fund, which will be administered by the APS Education Foundation, is designed to be user-friendly for educators. School librarians can access the resources through a simple application process, allowing them to tailor acquisitions to the specific interests and needs of their unique school communities.

As one of the most vital learning spaces in a school, the library serves as an extension of the classroom — a place where students expand upon their lessons and explore new ideas. By keeping these environments dynamic, the new fund aims to inspire a lasting love of reading.

For those in the community wishing to support this ongoing legacy, donations can be made directly to the fund through the APS Foundation.