Give to the University Libraries
There are many ways to support the University Libraries through your gifts.
University Library Endowment
At Grand Valley State University Libraries, we provide exemplary spaces, services, employment, and scholarship opportunities for our students. Students learn how to be good stewards of information through impactful learning experiences both in their academic endeavors and as they transition to the next phase of their life.
A gift to the University Library Endowment, provides funding for special project assistantships or scholarships for our students that teach information literacy skills, supports external professional development opportunities for student employees, or larger scale projects for spaces today and into the future.
“The student success fellowship has opened me up to paid experiential learning through the initiative of project planning, contributing to a literature review and building connections with other staff at Grand Valley State University. I am excited to see how the fellowship grows in the future and gives other students the opportunity to gain work based experiences.”
-Michelle Diaz, Class of 2026
Lee Van Orsdel Honorary Endowment
The Grand Valley State University Libraries prides itself on its innovative and forward-thinking approach to library spaces, services, and programming. Due to changing student needs and the quickly evolving nature of technologies, GVSU Libraries strives to be creative, flexible, and cognizant of opportunities to better serve our community.
Named in honor of former University Libraries’ Dean, Lee Van Orsdel, the Lee Van Orsdel Honorary Endowment was created to enhance and sustain inspiring and forward-thinking student spaces at all GVSU Library locations. With your gift to the Lee Van Orsdel Honorary Endowment, you can help ensure the library continues to be a leader in innovative student spaces and services today and into the future. (insert pics of DCL)
“I love the Digital Creator Lab because it gives me access to equipment and resources that I would not have access to otherwise. I can actually focus on creating amazing content rather than worrying about how I am going to get money to purchase equipment."
-Abdul Ciise, Class of 2025
Library Gifts and Donations Fund
Grand Valley State University students have a wide range of study habits and space preferences. To address that diversity, the Libraries try to create a variety of spaces that can accommodate collaborative group work or individual quiet study, along with varied choices of furnishings options from which our students can choose. Since our students and their preferences change over time, it is important that we are able to address those changes and make necessary adjustments when needed.
Gifts to the Library Gifts and Donations Fund help the Libraries meet the current and future needs of our student population in many ways. Donations to this fund enhance the student experience through:
- Exciting environmental improvements allow us to continue to have a variety of space options for our students to choose from. (insert pics of tables, whiteboards, sit/stand desk)
- Advanced training for student colleagues as well as library colleagues for emerging services
- Collections to address new areas of study and research
- Professional development travel funding for student colleagues, helping them in their future career path
This fund helps us today.
“As a returning graduate student after a long break after my undergraduate degree, the Mary Idema Pew Library is my refuge. With two young kids at home and a full time job, it can feel impossible to find space at home to dedicate to my studies. The study pods are my go-to space for my synchronous online philanthropy classes, and I am so grateful for the space even on days when I just need to focus on writing for a few hours. I am so grateful to our library donors who have made such wonderful spaces available to us.”
-Bex Takacs-Britz, Class of 2010 and 2025
Rare Books and Special Collections Fund
At GVSU Libraries’ Seidman House, archivists and staff procure, preserve, and grow an extensive collection of rare books, manuscripts, artwork, digital files, and locally distinguished materials. By preserving history in a variety of formats, these collections support teaching, high-impact learning experiences, and research for GVSU faculty, staff, and students as well as enable continued learning for researchers in our West Michigan community and across the nation. A few of our notable collections include Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, veteran’s history, the history of the book and printing arts, incunabula, and Grand Rapids and Michigan history.
The Rare Books and Special Collections fund exists for those who wish to financially support these rare and unique materials through the development, maintenance, and preservation of all special, distinguished, and archival collections.
“As a history major, the GVSU archives have been incredibly useful throughout my time here! The archivists and student workers are always willing and excited to work with you on any kind of project. There are a ton of interesting collections to research, my personal favorite being the radical Grand Valley newspapers from the 70s and 80s.”
-Hannah Krebs, Class of 2024
Donating Materials to the University Libraries
Material donations for the University Libraries' collection must meet the criteria laid out in our Gift Policy.
