Advancement Council BY KATHARINE LASANSKY, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, REGIONAL GIFTS & LIBRARIES
O
ver the last few years, the UI Libraries has been strategically expanding advancement and engagement activities.
Perhaps you’ve attended an Iowa Days event when we’ve taken the Hatching Herky exhibit on the road, chatted with John while enjoying a President’s Pregame Tailgate, or joined one of the many virtual events we’ve hosted over the last year. Maybe you’ve read about our Student Employee Scholarships in past issues of BINDINGS or enjoyed learning more about the Sackner Archive of Visual and Concrete Poetry, now in its new home at the UI Libraries. Philanthropy has impacted all of these opportunities. Many of our campus partners at the University of Iowa have established advisory boards in an effort to seek guidance from and forge deeper relationships with alumni and friends of their respective colleges. Most of our peer research libraries have similar groups. Given our ongoing strategic increase in advancement activities, we felt it was the ideal time to establish an Advancement Council for the UI Libraries. In establishing this council, we sought a committed group of individuals who would think beyond the usual boundaries, actively championing the UI 36
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Libraries by building and expanding networks within the university and in their own circles of influence. This dedicated group shares a common bond: their strong belief in and support of the University of Iowa Libraries. These individuals represent a variety of backgrounds and experiences that will enrich and broaden the approach, perspective, and reach of the UI Libraries as we strive to meet the needs of students, faculty, and researchers in today’s ever-changing environment. They have remarkable expertise in the field and come to us from across the state and country. The UI Libraries Advancement Council will provide feedback to aid our efforts to increase support for the UI libraries through fund raising, advocacy, and engagement. The leadership of the Advancement Council will be critical as we adapt during these times of unprecedented change. It is with deep gratitude that we welcome eight inaugural members to the Libraries Advancement Council. We will continue to welcome additional members to this council in the future and look forward to keeping you, our friends, informed of how to become involved. To learn more about how you can engage with the UI Libraries, please give us a call at (319) 467-3809.
