Outsourcing of UNM Press is unthinkable option

As a graduate of the University of New Mexico, as a national, international, as well as a New Mexican author and bookseller, and as someone who believes in the creative, artistic and cultural legacy of New Mexico, I was stunned to learn that the University of New Mexico is considering outsourcing the distribution of books from UNM Press and sending them out of state, which would move all book inventory out of state, as well as customer service, shipping orders, managing inventory, credit collection and royalty reporting. What this means is loss of jobs for UNM Press shipping and warehouse staff, customer service and anticipated loss of revenues for its regional publishers, who will need to have their books shipped from out of state to its customers — many located in the Southwest region.

How can UNM possibly consider this? For years UNM Press has been the pride of our state and has been a cornerstone of excellence, not only in the Southwest but throughout the world.

As someone who ran the Border Book Festival in Las Cruces for over 25 years, one of the longest-running book fairs in New Mexico, I know the enormous value of UNM Press’ worth, and now, as a southern New Mexico bookseller, a member of the American Bookseller’s Association and a founding member of its Diversity Task Force, this news is terrible.

In addition, you may not know it, but the American Bookseller’s Association will hold its 2019 Winter Institute in Albuquerque Jan. 22-25, the first time ever thousands of booksellers, writers and publishers from across the U.S. and other countries will be convening in New Mexico. This conference is the major event for all American booksellers! How can the regents and the president of UNM gut the Press at this pivotal time in our cultural history as we welcome booksellers from the world to our state? The timing is not only unacceptable, it is unthinkable and unconscionable!

Look at the writers who have published through UNM Press and you will see a pantheon of great world writers. We need the Press to stay in New Mexico. It is our pride and lifeblood.

What does this all say about a state that declares itself to be a haven for the arts and artists, and which, by the way, supports tourism and connection and communication between people?

As someone who loves UNM Press and our cultural life in New Mexico, it is important for us to reflect on what this means for us as a people. We will be poorer than before, and bereft of this valuable and important humanistic interaction between our students, faculty, the community and those who know and love our state, and yes, those who have come to us knowing we represent the best of creative life.

I would urge the president of UNM, as well as the Board of Regents and those who know and love UNM Press to speak up and stand up now.

Now is no time to lose faith in our ability to heal the world, one story and one book at a time.