Cayuga Community College professor Robert Brunell left more than just his teaching methods and words of wisdom with students and community members.
Port Byron Librarian Evalyn Taylor looks through the boxes of books donated by the late Cayuga Community College Professor Robert Brunell. Devon DelloStritto / The Citizen
Brunell, who passed away this past December, donated his entire private collection of books to the newly renovated Port Byron library. It's a collection that fills eight boxes.
An English professor, Brunell had taught at the college for 50 years, and also instructed a "Bible as Literature" course a few years ago. His collection consisted not only of texts tied to his course material, but also to personal reading material.
"There was a lot he donated," said Evalyn Taylor, the director of the Port Byron Library.
Taylor said Brunell's wife had been a teacher in the Port Byron Central School District, which aided in the decision to donate books there.
"We had the connections I guess," Taylor said. "He knew we had a brand new library, and probably thought that we had plenty of room for his books."
Linda Townsend, a teacher at the Port Byron High School was a personal friend of Brunell and said his love of books is something he wanted to share with future generations.
"He was so happy when Port Byron had gotten its first library, and wanted to do something to help out, but couldn't because of his untimely death," Townsend said.
"His love for knowledge, his quest for knowledge, and his passion for learning is something he'd want to share," she said. "He and his wife had taught so many of the students. These books will be put to good use by the library."
The new Port Byron library opened in November of 2004, which Taylor said has increased the amount of traffic in and out of the building.
Although Taylor said it will take a few months to sort out Brunell's books and get them situated on the shelves, she thinks a lot of people will benefit from the additional reading material.
"It's mainly his own personal library, books that backed up his courses, and other things as well," Taylor said. "It's a lot on criticism and a bunch on the Bible. "We needed more nonfiction and I'm glad we got these. It actually may even be more than we need."
Townsend and other colleagues of Brunell gathered the books to be donated, including texts ranging from American literature to Greek drama to Bible works, plus a complete collection of Shakespeare's writings.
"His favorite motto was 'I teach, therefore I am,'" Townsend said. "He knew how important these books would be to future generations."
Townsend said she hopes the research books can be put to use by discussion groups and used for ethical aspects by students.
"As far as the Shakespeare collection, I hope that one day our high school will offer a Shakespeare course for an elective," Townsend said.
Taylor said the library receives a solid number of donated books at different times. This particular situation, though, was one which Taylor and the rest of the Port Byron library staff had never seen before.
"We get a lot of donations, but until now we've never gotten anyone's entire library."
An English professor, Brunell had taught at the college for 50 years, and also instructed a "Bible as Literature" course a few years ago. His collection consisted not only of texts tied to his course material, but also to personal reading material.
"There was a lot he donated," said Evalyn Taylor, the director of the Port Byron Library.
Taylor said Brunell's wife had been a teacher in the Port Byron Central School District, which aided in the decision to donate books there.
"We had the connections I guess," Taylor said. "He knew we had a brand new library, and probably thought that we had plenty of room for his books."
Linda Townsend, a teacher at the Port Byron High School was a personal friend of Brunell and said his love of books is something he wanted to share with future generations.
"He was so happy when Port Byron had gotten its first library, and wanted to do something to help out, but couldn't because of his untimely death," Townsend said.
"His love for knowledge, his quest for knowledge, and his passion for learning is something he'd want to share," she said. "He and his wife had taught so many of the students. These books will be put to good use by the library."
The new Port Byron library opened in November of 2004, which Taylor said has increased the amount of traffic in and out of the building.
Although Taylor said it will take a few months to sort out Brunell's books and get them situated on the shelves, she thinks a lot of people will benefit from the additional reading material.
"It's mainly his own personal library, books that backed up his courses, and other things as well," Taylor said. "It's a lot on criticism and a bunch on the Bible. "We needed more nonfiction and I'm glad we got these. It actually may even be more than we need."
Townsend and other colleagues of Brunell gathered the books to be donated, including texts ranging from American literature to Greek drama to Bible works, plus a complete collection of Shakespeare's writings.
"His favorite motto was 'I teach, therefore I am,'" Townsend said. "He knew how important these books would be to future generations."
Townsend said she hopes the research books can be put to use by discussion groups and used for ethical aspects by students.
"As far as the Shakespeare collection, I hope that one day our high school will offer a Shakespeare course for an elective," Townsend said.
Taylor said the library receives a solid number of donated books at different times. This particular situation, though, was one which Taylor and the rest of the Port Byron library staff had never seen before.
"We get a lot of donations, but until now we've never gotten anyone's entire library."
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