Private Support of Library and Information Science Education

As the national administration has encouraged greater voluntary support of educational and cultural institutions, many universities have launched major fundraising efforts among alumni and friends. This paper examines endowment funds and annual gifts to library schools whose programs are accredited by the American Library Association. Tables present data on the market value of endowment funds and the annual income and annual gifts. Endowment funds range from zero to $ 1.5 million. Nineteen schools have endowments of more than $ 100,000, but four of these are in the process of closing. The authors suggest ways in which support may be increased and also make observations about the future of private support