Gifts to Ensure Excellence -- Making a
Difference to Over 19,400 Students!

“It takes a noble person to plant a seed for a tree that will one day provide shade to those whom he may never meet.”

The University Libraries are a destination for research, learning, and friends for over 19,400 students, hundreds of faculty and staff members, and visiting scholars on the Ball State University campus. We’re seeing a strong and diverse internal network of researchers, faculty, staff, and students utilizing BSU Libraries as an integral partner for problem solving, projects and research, classroom instruction, and knowledge creation endeavors.

Achieving the Ball State University vision means maintaining the very highest quality collections and services is of utmost importance to the University Libraries. As we persist toward excellence, we appeal to the BSU Community and beyond to remember the Ball State University Libraries in their charitable giving efforts.

Contributing to One of our Endowment Funds
You may wish to contribute to one of the existing University Libraries’ Endowment Funds such as the General Fund (#5101) or the Endowment Fund (#80026). These accounts allow the Dean of University Libraries to apply gifts where the need is greatest. The  Donor’s Contribution Form provides a list of existing accounts. Additional contributions to these accounts are always encouraged and welcome.

Tribute with Books
A wonderfulway to express your appreciation to a special person, to pay tribute to the memory of a loved one, or just to say “thanks” to a professor is by giving a donation to the University Libraries. An acknowledgement of your thoughtful gift will be sent to the honoree or to the family of the person whom you have chosen to memorialize. Just designate your wish on the  Donor Contribution Form.

Contributing to Grow a Collection
You may elect to help us build a better future by providing support to build the collection of a specific academic college:

How Your Gift Helps …
Your gift helps the University Libraries provide a wide range of intellectual resources and enables us to respond to the demands and changing library needs of students and faculty. There are several existing fund accounts, many supporting a specific purpose.

By becoming a supporter of the University Libraries, you become a partner with us and have the opportunity to link your name with both Ball State University and the University Libraries.  Persons who take a positive interest in our work also may enjoy tax advantages.  Most important of all, our donors can take great satisfaction in making a difference to our students, faculty, staff, and persons in the Ball State University region.

Your gift helps in so many ways!                                       

1. Enhances the academic quality of life for students.
2. Helps us digitize archival photo collections to create and preserve the cultural and historical background of Muncie.
3. Improves teaching and learning opportunities by providing faculty and students with top-notch resources.
4. Expands the University Libraries’ print and digital collections.
5. Assists us in improving the technology for accessing important digital resources.
6. Allows us to expand research capabilities for faculty and students.

About Us
The Alexander M. Bracken Library is Ball State’s main library. It is located in the heart of the campus with space equivalent to seven football fields. Two branch libraries are the Architecture Library and the Science-Health Science Library, both serving as a cornerstone for faculty and students and making a valuable and everlasting impact on the quality of education and research. A technology-rich environment exists in the University Libraries, classrooms, laboratories, and residence halls. Students are fortunate to be able to communicate, conduct research and create inventive projects that prepare them to be future scholars and leaders in the use of technology in their chosen fields.

The University Libraries, serving an average of 2,750 people daily, offers over 1.5 million books, periodicals, microforms, audiovisual material, microcomputer software, U.S. Government publications, maps, manuscripts, music scores, archival records, and electronic databases.

Giving to an Existing University Libraries’ Endowment Fund
The interest from endowment money in an existing University Libraries’ endowment fund is applied toward purchasing resources that improve the collections, to provide state-of-the-art technology and software and to meet other important objectives.

The University Libraries have five funds for our endowment:

• The Library Endowment Fund (#80026), established through the “Wings for the Future” campaign to support the needs of Bracken Library.
• The Class of 1941 Fund (#60041), established by the Ball State Class of 1941 as a 50-year reunion project to provide for needs of the Alexander M. Bracken Library.
• The Zeigler Jewish Studies Library Endowment Fund (#5107), established with moneys from the Bessie & Benjamin Zeigler Fund.  Interest from this fund is used to acquire library material that supports Jewish Studies.
• The Alexander M. Bracken Memorial Library Fund (#5105), established by members of the Ball family to honor the memory of Alexander M. Bracken.  Interest from this fund is used to purchase library material in the areas of business and law.
• The Edgar & Lois Seward Book Fund (#5104), established in 1988 by retired banker Edgar Seward and his wife Marjorie, a local philanthropist. Interest from this fund is used to purchase research acquisitions for the University Libraries.

Giving to an Existing Libraries' Account Fund
We welcome gift donations to any of the following existing gift accounts:

• The General Fund (#5101) supports University Libraries’ services and programs. It allows the Dean of University Libraries to purchase material, equipment, or meet other library needs, including staff training.
• The Acquisitions Fund (#5102) supports purchase of a range of acquisitions relevant to excellence in learning and research.
• The Friends of Alexander M. Bracken Library Fund (#5103) supports expenditures for the general welfare of the University Libraries, special collections, and programs.
• The Archives Fund (#5106) is supported by the Indiana Humanities Council to benefit the Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections.
• The N.K. Turner Fund (#5108) supports the Libraries’ Special Collections.
• Tribute with Books (#5111) supports the Libraries' book collection and allows donors to honor a specific person or occasion.

Creating a New University Libraries’ Endowment
BSU Foundation staff members are happy to meet with you to explain the primary steps to consider creating a permanent legacy endowment. There are many potential tax and financial benefits involved with this type of gift, including a non-financial benefit: the knowledge that your gift leaves your legacy to benefit students, faculty, and others.

Levels of Giving
Donors have several choices that align with their personal interests. They may support the University Libraries by contributing to an existing endowment or an existing fund or by creating a new endowment. Donations are usually in the form of cash, marketable appreciated securities, or real estate. Planned or deferred gifts are also encouraged.

Planned Gifts
You can make a significant gift now that continues to benefit future students and faculty who use the University Libraries as a destination for research and learning. Planned gifts are bequests in a will, trust, life insurance or retirement plan assets, and deferred gifts from life income arrangements. With the Planned Gift option, you will need to make an appointment with a Ball State University Foundation staff member to implement the appropriate arrangements, (765) 285-8312.

How to Make a Gift
It’s simple and convenient! Gifts can be given by cash, check, or credit card. The easiest way to make a gift is to write a check and make it payable to Ball State University Foundation with a selected fund or endowment number. If you wish to contribute to an existing University Libraries’ account or endowment, please remember to designate the appropriate fund number in your correspondence. The General Fund is #5101.

• You may choose to make a credit card gift online to the University Libraries through the secure server at University Foundation.
• Mail a check to the Office of the Dean, University Libraries, Ball State University BL-218, Muncie, IN 47306, stating your preference as to how the gift is to be used.
• If you’d like to discuss giving options, please contact Dr. Arthur W. Hafner, Office of the Dean at (765) 285-5277, or by e-mail at AHafner@bsu.edu

Gifts to the University Libraries are tax-deductible on federal tax returns subject to the limits allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. A copy of the letter documenting tax-exempt status is available from the Ball State University Foundation, a 501c(3) organization. When you make a gift, the Foundation Office will provide you with the necessary documentation for tax purposes. It is always wise to check with your tax professional about tax deductions.

Contact Us
If you would like to explore options, such as setting up a specific fund in memory or in honor of a significant person in your life, or if you would like more information about donating to existing endowments or accounts, we welcome the opportunity to discuss all charitable gift options with you or your attorney, accountant, or financial advisor.

Please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Arthur W. Hafner, Dean of University Libraries at (765) 285-5277, or email AHafner@bsu.edu to discuss contribution options. We are located at Ball State University, Bracken Library BL-218, Muncie, Indiana 47306.

Frequently Asked Questions about Giving to the University Libraries

Ball State University and its library system is a state-supported institution. Why are gifts needed if it receives state funds? The University receives funds from tuition, state appropriations, and private support. Although tuition and state moneys provide a portion of the University and its libraries’ operating budget, those funds alone do not cover the total cost of providing the level of service to which we aspire. There are more needs than tuition and state moneys alone can supply. Private support is vital to the continued growth and success of the University Libraries.

Why are unrestricted gifts so important? Unrestricted gifts can be used wherever needs are greatest, allowing the Dean of the University Libraries the flexibility to address the Libraries’ most pressing needs.

Who establishes gift needs and sets priorities for funding? Gifts are accepted by the University Libraries either for specific or general purposes. Gifts for general purposes are allocated by the Dean of University Libraries toward services and projects where he perceives the needs are greatest.

May I specify how my gift is used? Yes, you may specify which specific fund you would like to receive your support.

What are the various Funds to which I can contribute? There are a range of funds:

• The General Fund (#5101) supports University Libraries’ services and programs.
• The Acquisitions Fund (#5102) supports purchase of a range of acquisitions relevant to excellence in learning and research.
• The Friends of Alexander M. Bracken Library Fund (#5103) supports expenditures for the general welfare of the University Libraries, special collections, and programs.
• The Edgar & Lois Seward Book Endowment Fund (#5104), established in 1988 by retired banker Edgar Seward and his wife Marjorie, a local philanthropist. Interest from this Fund is used to purchase research acquisitions for the University Libraries.
• The Alexander M. Bracken Memorial Library Endowment Fund (#5105), established by members of the Ball family to honor the memory of Alexander M. Bracken.  Interest from this Fund is used to purchase library material in the areas of business and law.
• The Archives Fund (#5106) is supported by the Indiana Humanities Council to benefit the Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections.
• The Zeigler Jewish Studies Library Endowment Fund (#5107), established with moneys from the Bessie & Benjamin Zeigler Fund.  Interest from this Fund is used to acquire library material that supports Jewish Studies.
• The N.K. Turner Fund (#5108) supports the Libraries’ Special Collections.
• Tribute with Books (#5111) supports the Libraries’ book collection and allows donors to honor a special person or occation.
• The Library Endowment Fund (#80026), established through the “Wings for the Future” campaign to support the needs of Bracken Library.
• The Class of 1941 Endowment Fund (#60041), established by the Ball State Class of 1941 as a 50-year reunion project to provide for needs of the Alexander M. Bracken Library.

What are the University Libraries’ priorities? The priorities are

• Purchasing new books, journals and other resources in print and digital format to support academic requirements for student and faculty research and learning
• Purchasing and maintaining technology, including computers, wireless networking equipment for improved connectivity to access digital resources, and furniture for making equipment accessible
• Creating a better environment within the building for students, faculty, and others who use the libraries as a destination for research and learning
• Staff training and continuing education to keep our personnel current with ever-changing needs in library service, learning, and scholarship.

Is my gift tax-deductible? Gifts to the University Libraries are tax-deductible on federal tax returns subject to the limits allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. A copy of the letter documenting tax-exempt status is available from the Ball State University Foundation. When you make a gift, the Foundation Office will provide you with the necessary documentation for tax purposes.

I can only make a small gift at this time. Will it still make an impact? Every contribution makes a difference! The combined effect of many small gifts can be powerful. Your support is vital in the University Libraries’ ability to expand services and resources. Regardless of the size of each gift, it helps us to build our resources which benefit over 19,000 students.

How do I make a gift in honor or memory of someone or to support the collection of an academic college? Contributions can be designated in memory or honor of a special person, occasion, or to build a specific academic college’s collection. Simply complete the honor/memorial section of the donation form. The contribution will be applied where you designate. We will be happy to notify the family of a memorial gift or an individual who has been honored that a contribution has been made, without disclosing the gift amount.

What benefits will I receive from making a planned gift in support of the University Libraries? Donors of planned gifts can receive a number of financial benefits from their gifts, depending on the type of gift made. Your financial commitment today will have a direct impact on the University Libraries’ users (students, faculty and community) of tomorrow, allowing you to show your support in a very tangible way. For more information, contact Dr. Arthur W. Hafner, Dean of the University Libraries, at (765) 285-5277 or by e-mail at AHafner@bsu.edu.

What opportunities are there for recognition? We are always pleased to acknowledge the support of our donors. Donors are recognized in our newsletter unless the donor requests otherwise.  There are naming and reception opportunites, among other forms of recognition for our donors.

How will making a planned gift help the University Libraries now if the money will not be available for many years to come? Many individuals are not able to make a major gift due to any number of factors, but a gift planned to mature at a later date allows the University Libraries to move forward, secure in the knowledge that the funds will be available in the future. For many donors, the planned gift that will mature many years in the future may be larger than any outright gifts they could make at present.

What are the various types of planned or deferred gifts? There are several types of planned or deferred gifts, and the one that is most appropriate for you depends on a number of factors, such as the size of your gift, the age of the beneficiary/beneficiaries, the amount of income needed, and the length of time income is required. For more specific information, contact Dr. Arthur W. Hafner, Dean of the University Libraries, (765) 285-5277 or AHafner@bsu.edu.

How do I make a matching gift? Matching gifts are made by employers in support of charitable gifts made by their employees to certain non-profit institutions such as universities or libraries. Many companies offer to match the gifts that their employees make to certain not-for-profit institutions and organizations. If you work for a company with a matching gift program, you provide your employer with information about your gift, and the company does the rest. Some companies extend matching gift privileges to include board members, retirees and employees’ spouses. Check with your company’s Human Resources Department for additional information and a matching gift form.

Can I make a gift anonymously? Yes. The University Libraries will respect your desire for anonymity and will not disclose your gift if that is your desire. You can discuss your gift confidentially either in person or by telephone with the Dean of University Libraries, Dr. Arthur W. Hafner, (765) 285-5277.

Can my gift support multiple areas at the University Libraries? Gifts to benefit multiple areas within the University Libraries can be easily handled. Please discuss your needs with Dr. Arthur W. Hafner, Dean of University Libraries (765) 285-5277.

Can I make my gift with a credit card? Yes. The University Foundation accepts charge cards via its online secure server.

Who is the Dean of University Libraries? The Dean of University Libraries is Dr. Arthur W. Hafner. He can be reached at 765-285-5277, or AHafner@bsu.edu. The Dean welcomes the opportunity to meet and speak with prospective donors.

Where should I send a gift?
Office of the Dean of University Libraries
Ball State University
Bracken Library BL-218
Muncie, IN 47306