Retired University of New Mexico professor Richard Van Dongen donated $100,000 to the APS Education Foundation to establish the “Van Dongen Books Kids Want to Read Fund,” Albuquerque Public Schools said in a news release. He created the fund to honor his late wife, Barbara Chamberlin Van Dongen, and their lifelong partnership in education, and he also pledged part of his legacy gift to support it.
Richard and Barbara were born and raised in Albuquerque and spent their careers championing student learning. Barbara, who died in 2016, worked as a classroom teacher and librarian at APS before becoming head of District Library Services. Richard began his career in elementary education at APS and later moved into senior leadership in UNM’s College of Education. APS Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey called the donation “an extraordinary gift for our students.”
The fund gives school library staff money to buy popular literature, graphic novels, the latest nonfiction and other genres that resonate with today’s students. Rachel Altobelli, senior director of Library Services at APS, said the gift will give students a say in the books in their school libraries.
The APS Education Foundation will administer the fund, and school librarians can apply for it through a simple process that lets them tailor purchases to their school communities. Community members can donate directly to the fund through the foundation.
Editor’s note: Updated Oct. 31, 2026. This story was revised to cite the Albuquerque Public Schools news release it is based on. Learn how Brant.One reports in our editorial standards.
