Giving to the Libraries

Western Michigan University Libraries provides opportunities for discovery, creativity and collaboration. Your gifts help us bring these opportunities to our students, faculty, staff and community.

Library funds

Dwight B. Waldo Library for Development (General Fund)

The Dwight B. Waldo Library Development fund allows the Libraries to respond to our changing needs. It supports the purchase of equipment, technology, furnishings and other materials as needed to support a broad range of library initiatives.

Dwight B. Waldo Library for Acquisitions

The Dwight B. Waldo Library Acquisitions fund enhances the Libraries ability to maintain rich collections that support the curricular and research needs of the University. The funds are used to purchase monographs, media and electronic materials above and beyond what our operating funds can support.

Archives and Regional History Collections

The Archives and Regional History Collections fund supports the preservation of photos, oral histories, documents, and records containing the stories of the people, places and industries of southwestern Michigan. The funds are used to purchase acid-free folders, boxes and specialized enclosures and map cases to preserve the collections for future generations of Western Michigan University and public researchers who use these collections for published books, research papers and personal research.

Special Collections Endowment

Hundreds of students visit Rare Books and Special Collections every year to get hands-on experience with unique and specialized materials, which enrich and broaden their educational experience and hone their skills in the observation and analysis of physical artifacts. This fund supports the purchase of materials that address new curricular needs or expand current collection strengths and the preservation of the collection.

University Libraries for Academic Success Fund

The needs of our learners are constantly changing. This fund supports the physical creation and operations of academic learning and discovery environments within the University Libraries to support and keep pace with today’s student and researcher requirements.

University Libraries Student Employee Scholarship

University Libraries employees approximately one hundred students every academic year. This fund supports a competitive scholarship, available to all student employees who have worked for the Libraries at least one academic semester, and grants up to four $1,000 awards each year.