The military history selection at Henry Madden Library at California State University, Fresno grew considerably when retired Air Force Sgt. Bill Dietzel cleaned out his hangar and donated 500 books.
Dietzel is the publisher and editor of Veterans Magazine and the organizer of the annual Veterans Day Parade in Fresno. He has been active in local, state and national veterans community affairs for 30 years.
Dietzel’s decision to scale back his collection was good news for the library.
“These are new books for the most part,” said David Tyckoson, associate dean of the Madden Library. “The donation definitely enhances our military history collection.”
Dietzel’s generosity means that money earmarked to buy some of the volumes in his collection can be used to purchase other books, Tyckoson added.
Dietzel decided to make the donation while assisting with lining up veterans for the California War Veterans Oral History Project, which is housed at the Madden Library. He will be recognized as a donor in a plate in each book.
Tyckoson said the library welcomes donations of books and other items, but recommends potential donors first contact the library to discuss suitability and need.
For more information, contact Tyckoson at 559.278.5678 or davety@csufresno.edu.
(Copy by Dr. Gary Rice, an associate professor of mass communication and journalism at Fresno State, who heads the Veterans Oral History Project.)
