The Duke University Libraries are the shared experience that propels Duke toward our ambitious goals. Through our unique collections, expert staff, and bustling spaces, we empower discovery and inspire deeper connections to the world. Your support of the Libraries Annual Fund makes our vision for the future possible. With your gift, we can say yes to doing more for every student, faculty member, and researcher at Duke. Your investment funds:
Accessible Collections
The Libraries provide the broadest possible access to information. In 2024, our online materials have been viewed over 25 million times (over half of those views are by students!), while over one-third of our undergraduates have worked with our rare, primary materials for their research. In addition to providing free and open access to our online materials, we are developing a more diverse physical collection. Representing over 400 languages, our collection supports every discipline at Duke.
Trusted Staff
People are our priority, and we rely on diverse backgrounds and perspectives to strengthen our institution. With an eye toward fostering future generations of experts, we recently launched a residency program for early career librarians and added two new graduate student internships that focus on digitization and teaching and learning.
Essential Collaborations
We strive to contribute our knowledge by partnering with faculty and staff across the university. We evolve our own expertise around emerging technologies, offering insight into tools for generative AI, data visualization, and open-source publishing. In a single year, we taught over 300 classes to students from every school at Duke and recorded highs in data consultations and workshops.
Make a Gift to the Libraries Annual Fund
HOW CAN I INCREASE THE IMPACT OF MY SUPPORT THROUGH A MATCHING GIFT?
Many companies and foundations will match the value of charitable gifts made by employees and their spouses, board members, and retirees. To find out if a particular company or foundation has a matching gift program, check Duke's matching gift database.
IS IT REALLY IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT THE LIBRARIES ANNUAL FUND EVERY YEAR?
Yes! Consistent giving provides the foundation for our staff to meet the ever-changing needs of our users by expanding our research collections, offering new services, hiring the most talented people, and providing safe and welcoming spaces.
Duke created a giving society to recognize its most loyal donors as the cornerstone of our Annual Fund's success. Donors who have supported the Annual Fund for five or more consecutive years are recognized as members of the Cornerstone Society. Undergraduate alumni who have supported the Annual Fund every year since graduation are further recognized as lifetime members.
CAN I SET UP MY GIVING TO TAKE PLACE AUTOMATICALLY?
You can set up your gift to be automatically charged to your credit card on a monthly, quarterly, or annual schedule for as long as you like. Simply select the recurring gift option on our online giving site, or by calling our Alumni and Development Records staff at 919-684-2338.
WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER A MULTIYEAR PLEDGE?
A multiyear pledge can help you keep track of your giving and ensure that you continue to support the Libraries Annual Fund every fiscal year. In addition, undergraduate alumni who make multiyear pledges to the Annual Fund will have the entirety of their commitment counted in their classes' reunion gift totals.
WHAT'S A LEADERSHIP GIFT?
All of our supporters understand the Libraries' commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and some donors decide to make the Libraries a special priority in their philanthropy. Duke has established a number of leadership gift clubs to recognize its top Annual Fund donors. Membership is renewable annually and is based on Annual Fund gifts made or facilitated by an individual and their spouse. Learn more about Duke's Leadership Giving Societies.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR MAKING A CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIBRARIES ANNUAL FUND?
Each year's Annual Fund campaign ends on June 30.
