eNews Edition: Winter 2013
At this time of year, our hearts and minds often turn to giving. Why is this so? Some might posit that we think of gifts during this season because the fall and winter holidays often celebrated in the United States -- such as Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas -- bring with them the spirit of giving.
Others (perhaps the more cynical among us) believe that giving in December has more to do with the end-of-year tax benefits. Regardless the time of year, my own view is that most of us give because we are giving back.
In other words, we give to educational and charitable organizations because we ourselves have been blessed and, in a very real sense, want to “return the favor.” We recognize that the world is a philanthropic ecosystem, and that some institutions, such as libraries and universities, depend on the generosity of individuals to be sustained.
There are many ways to give back to the Oviatt Library. Some of you are thankful for the intellectual stimulation of a university and might want to fund special programs and lectures in the Library, the heart and soul of our campus. Others of you volunteer your time in a variety of important ways, mostly through the Friends of the Library. Some of you give to support the purchase of research tools like books and databases. Still others might want to give to renovation projects that keep the venerable Oviatt Library a pleasant and welcoming place to learn and study.
Whichever way you choose to give back, I am grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity. The Oviatt Library is a much richer place because of the many who have chosen to give us gifts, large and small, over the past 50 years. I hope you will join us and our many friends as we travel the pathway toward knowledge.
Thank you for your continuing support,
Mark Stover, Ph.D.
Dean, Oviatt Library