Philanthropy and Fundraising (from the Encyclopedia of Libraries, Librarianship, and Information Science)

Philanthropic giving has a long history in libraries and remains a source of critical funding. Cultivating giving from individuals through fundraising expands the reputation of libraries and can relieve some of the strain from the decline in funding from traditional funding sources such as from government and, in the case of academic libraries, higher education institutions. Long a theme of discomfort, misunderstanding and even derision in the library sector, fundraising can support library missions and build social networks that create mutual benefits for the library and those who support it.