The Smithsonian Libraries and Archives is home to nearly 3 million library volumes and 44,000 cubic feet of archival materials. As the world’s largest museum library and archives system, the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives aims to fulfill the Institution’s mission for “the increase and diffusion of knowledge” while committing to meet the expanding needs of a 21st-century organization and the communities we serve. Endowments enhance the Libraries and Archives’ ability to push the margins for innovative digitization, robust services, diverse collections, creative educational resources, thought-provoking exhibitions, and critical preservation.
Endowments ensure that promising programs, individuals, and initiatives have the ongoing support they need. With investments in places, people, programs, and treasures, we will tell America’s story, spark discovery, inspire lifelong learning, and use technologies to reach people everywhere. So much of what the Libraries and Archives offers cannot be found elsewhere; endowments ensure a steady and growing stream of income to allow us to be the strongest possible resource for all our users.
With an outright gift or pledge of $50,000 or more, you can establish a named endowment to provide funding for the Libraries and Archives in perpetuity. For more information on creating an endowment for the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, contact the Advancement Office at (202) 633-2241 or LibraryGiving@si.edu.
