July 30, 2008 Library of Congress Launches "E-Giving" Site For Donations

Press Contact: Matt Raymond (202) 707-0020

Did you know that you can help the world’s largest single repository of knowledge acquire important national treasures or make its unparalleled collections more accessible? Or keep important books, films, maps and other artifacts from being lost to the ravages of time? Or document the stories of everyday Americans? Or promote literacy, reading and innovative approaches to K-12 education? While the Library of Congress relies upon congressional appropriations to carry out its missions, much of its work also depends on the generosity of the private sector: individuals, corporations and foundations. It is now much easier to support the de facto national library through financial donations with the launch of the Library’s new “e-Giving” Web site at www.loc.gov/donate/. The site provides options for donations in several areas: • Major priorities: “Where it is needed most,” “acquire rare and unique items” or “preserve and protect collections.” • Key initiatives such as exhibitions; education and literacy programs; the National Book Festival; services for the blind and physically handicapped; scholarly programs; or the Veterans History Project. • “Friends groups” that support the American Folklife Center, the Asian Division, the Hispanic Division, the Law Library, the Music Division, the Geography and Map Division, or Preservation. Donors can also specify another fund of the Library for their contribution. Donations are made via the Department of Treasury’s secure Pay.gov site, the federal government’s official portal for making electronic payments to government agencies. Major credit cards are accepted; the minimum donation level is $25. The system allows patrons to make honorary contributions and memorial gifts in celebration of friends, family members or loved ones. Upon making a donation, donors receive an instant acknowledgement of their gift and an email confirmation (if the donor provides a valid email address). Donors may also indicate if their employers offer matching gifts. The e-Giving site is made possible in part by seed money from the Leaders Circle, a former advisory group of the Library of Congress that will be recognized as Founding Members of this initiative. Established in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. It seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its Web site at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a new, personalized Web site at www.myLOC.gov.

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PR 08-132
2008-07-30
ISSN 0731-3527