"In a sense my book fund is a living creature. I certainly have felt I have been a continuing part of the fund’s growth process and the acquisition to date of more than 2,500 books." — Ron Klein, BA ’49
Endowments provide ongoing support to the Libraries. Over the years, our generous donors have established endowments to help fund positions and collections.
The Libraries hold eight endowed positions that support librarianship and curatorship in areas from the Judaica and Hebraica Collections to Special Collections. Our most recent endowed gifts support a position in the history of Silicon Valley along with the creation of a research hub for this work in Cecil H. Green Library, the main library on Stanford’s campus.
A Materials Fund, also known as a Book Fund, presents another opportunity for alumni and friends to make an endowed gift. The fund supports acquisitions for the Libraries’ collections and continues Jane Stanford’s commitment when she bequeathed her jewelry to the university to establish the very first Book Fund, the Jewel Fund. Today, the Libraries have Book Funds in areas from marine sciences to the history of Stanford and its neighboring communities to queer literature. Each subject area is carefully chosen by the donor in consultation with our subject specialists. A custom digital bookplate is designed for each Book Fund and displayed in SearchWorks, the Libraries’ online catalog, with the accompanying resources purchased through the fund.
The Libraries welcome those who have created Book Funds to the Jewel Society, which honors donors who have made a commitment to expand Stanford’s collections that will help further the possibilities of research, teaching, and learning in perpetuity.
Other opportunities are available to name a fund or an established space in honor or memory of a beloved family member, friend, or Stanford colleague with an endowed gift. By making a named gift, you will become a visible part of Stanford University Libraries, recognized and celebrated for your commitment to our work.
Learn more about endowed gifts and why they are significant to the Libraries. To establish an endowment, please contact us at librarydevelopment@stanford.edu or 650-736-9538.
Book Funds Frequently Asked Questions
How is a Book Fund created?
A Book Fund can be established by a charitable gift or pledge of a minimum of $25,000. Funds for Special Collections require a higher minimum of $250,000. A Book Fund can receive additional contributions at any time. In the process of making a gift or pledge, donors choose the subject matter and name of their Book Fund in consultation with subject specialists
How is a Book Fund beneficial?
Today, the Libraries have over 400 Book Funds, which as a group provide nearly 40% of library materials acquisitions each year. Individually, each Book Fund is impactful in its specified subject matter. The greatest current needs are in the sciences, engineering, and several new fields of study, such as sustainability, at Stanford.
How is a Book Fund stewarded?
Book Fund donors receive annual narrative reports from the relevant subject specialists at the Libraries and annual financial reports from Stanford’s Office of Development. Donors who establish a book fund receive the following: a custom designed digital bookplate, online access to see purchases by their fund, membership in the honorary Jewel Society, subscription to the Libraries’ monthly e-newsletter, and invitations to library events and exhibitions.