The Kresge Foundation has announced an $800,000 grant for the Schaffer Library renovation and expansion project. To release the grant funds, the College must raise the remaining $4.9 million needed to fund the project no later than Nov. 1, 1996. It is hoped, however, that funding will be in place to start construction by August.
This grant marks the third grant from The Kresge Foundation to the College's Bicentennial Campaign.
The foundation made a $500,000 grant for science equipment, and alumni and friends contributed a $2 million endowment fund to maintain and upgrade science equipment purchased with Kresge funding.
Kresge also made a $750,000 challenge grant toward the restoration of the Nott Memorial and completion of the Yulman Theater.
The projected cost of the Schaffer Library renovation and expansion is $14,650,300, which includes a $2 million endowment to support ongoing maintenance and improvements. By the end of last October, the College had received gifts and pledges totaling just over $8.9 million.
Under the terms of the Kresge award, when the College raises an additional $4.9 million, bringing the total to $13.8 million, Kresge will release its $800,000 grant to reach the target to begin the project.
Plans call for both renovating and expanding Schaffer Library.
Space will be added so that the traditional general collection can continue to grow; the Special Collections will be made more accessible and given a higher standard of preservation; the infrastructure will be replaced to accommodate
technologically sophisticated new media, such as computer workstations with access to document delivery systems; and the language lab, technological instruction center, and Writing Center will be located in the new library.
To achieve this, the 1974 annex will be demolished and a new annex will be built, adding more than 20,000 square feet. The original 1961 structure then will be renovated. Temporary buildings nearby will ensure that library services will continue uninterrupted during the project
The Kresge Foundation, a Michigan-based organization, awarded grants in 1994 to 145 charitable organizations in thirty-six states, the District of Columbia, and England. Grants are made to institutions in such areas as higher education, health, arts and humanities, and public affairs for projects involving construction or renovation of
facilities and the purchase of equipment or real estate.
New library commitments helped win The Kresge Foundation grant
Timely commitments from alumni and friends of the College throughout the summer and fall helped win The Kresge Foundation challenge grant.
The College would like to recognize and extend a warm thanks to the following:
- An anonymous gift of $250,000;
- Robert F. Cummings, Jr. '71, $250,000;
- David B. Chapnick '59, $100,000;
- Estate of Harold S. Dunning, $74,880;
- Michael J. Epstein '59, M.D., $25,000;
- Benjamin A. Brown '35, $20,000;
- Judith and Peter Wasserman, $20,000;
- Robert J. Pletman '50, M.D., $10,580.
In addition, Dr. and Mrs. Jonas Fleminberg '31 have established a charitable gift annuity that will benefit the library renovation project.
[To read more about the library as the information center of the campus, please see the feature article that starts on page ten.]