L-55. Donors and Libraries

Susan M. Allen and William P. Barlow, Jr

Particularly aimed at rare book and special collections librarians who deal on a regular basis with donors (or who would like to increase their level of activity in this area); also open to donors (and prospective donors) who would like to know more about how libraries and institutional personnel deal with gifts (and with prospective gifts). Topics include: needs and opportunities (the American tradition of gifts to libraries, privileges and responsibilities of donors and libraries, and dealing with bureaucracies); the institutional framework (institutional realities, dealing with changing priorities); library-donor relations (building working relationships, fulfilling obligations, coping with staff changes); tax and legal matters (tax incentives, deeds of gift, gift/purchase arrangements, gift vs. deposit, appraisals, institutional record-keeping).

The course is not intended to be a how-to-raise-money workshop; it is an extended examination of the philosophy of giving, and receiving, collections and other donations in a library context.

The 2009 November course will be held at the Grolier Club in New York City.

Course Resources

Course History