Endowments

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 orLibraryGiving@si.edu.

Blankaart, Steven. Schou-burg der rupsen, wormen, ma’den… Amsterdam, 1688. Engraved title page.
The Alice Eve Kennington Rare Book Endowment
"Peacocks” by Albert W. Heckman from the November 1919 issue of Keramic Studio. Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art/National Portrait Gallery Library.
The Arts Libraries Endowment for the Smithsonian Libraries
Image of Deanne and Gus Miller
The Augustus and Deanne Miller Acquisitions Fund
Researchers in the library with books and manuscripts
The Bailey Family Endowment
Book conservationist restoring a book in a washing tray
The Brian J. and Darlene Heidtke Preservation Endowment
Philip Henry Gosse The aquarium: an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea , 1856 “The Ancient Wrasse”
The Bruce Collette Fishes Acquisitions Endowment
Woman browsing and reading newspaper stacks
The C. Michael Gooden and Diane Oksanen-Gooden Endowment
Image of the North Reading Room with a large table in the middle surrounded by built-in shelves of books and an ornate ceiling
The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Library Endowment
Rare books in the Dibner Library
The Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology Endowment
Imaging technician at an imaging center station
The Frank J. and Betty M. Quirk Endowment
Image of Corals from "Actinologia britannica. A history of the British sea-anemones and corals London,Van Voorst,1860."
The Frederick Bayer Endowment for Natural History Acquisitions
Gwen Leighty
The Gwendolen Rochester Leighty Endowment for the Smithsonian Libraries
Hope and John Furth
The John L. and Hope L. Furth Endowment for the Smithsonian Libraries
Imagd of Joseph F. Cullman 3rd and Leslie K. Overstreet
The Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Endowment for the Natural History Rare Book Library
Image of Joseph F. Cullman 3rd
The Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Endowment for the Preservation of Natural History Rare Books
Linda Gooden
The Linda R. Gooden Endowment for the Smithsonian Libraries
Rare book librarian shelving large books
The Lloyd and Charlotte Wineland Library Endowment for Native American and Western Exploration Literature
Plate from "Guirlande , 1920" showing a drawing of a woman in a fancy dress.
The Margery F. and Edgar M. Masinter Fund for the Acquisition and Preservation of Illustrated Books
Librarian in stacks
The Margery F. Masinter Endowment for the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Library
Nancy Gwinn with 2013 Summer Interns
The Nancy E. Gwinn and John Y. Cole Endowment
Image of Presidential historian Michael Beschloss speaking at the Libraries’ Price of Freedom Event
The National Museum of American History Library Endowment
Image of a native american mother and child, from "History of the Indian tribes of North America, Volumes 1-3 , 1836-1844"
The National Museum of the American Indian Library Endowment
Image of the cover of the book "Treasures of Ancient Nigeria"
The Rollyn Osterweis Krichbaum Memorial Program Fund for the Public Understanding of African Art and Culture
Researchers in the library with books and manuscripts
The Ronald J. and Deborah A. Monark Endowment
iPad and Rare book being used together
The S. Dillon Ripley Library Endowment
Dr. F. Christian Thompson
The Smithsonian Libraries Endowment for Serials Acquisition and Preservation
Image of colorful flowers on cover of magazine
The Smithsonian Libraries General Endowment
Image of a red panda from the book "Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London"
The Smithsonian Libraries’ Endowment for Wildlife Conservation
Image of The Special Collections Endowment
The Special Collections Endowment
Image of three people sitting at a table examining a large book.
The Warren M. Robbins Library Endowment, National Museum of African Art
Dr. George Zug, emeritus Research Zoologist with the National Museum of Natural History, Division of Amphibians and Reptiles
The Zug Family Amphibian and Reptile Endowment for the Smithsonian Libraries