University Libraries The University Libraries system consists of Founders Memorial Library and its branch libraries: Faraday Library, NIU-Hoffman Estates Library, the Map Library, the Music Library, NIU-Naperville Library, NIU-Rockford Library, and the Regional History Center/University Archives. The university's collections contain over 1.65 million circulating volumes, approximately 18,349 current serials, 1.2 million government publications, and over 3.3 million microforms, maps, recordings, and audiovisual materials. The University Libraries participate in the Illinet Online (I/O) System and provide access to a variety of electronic databases. Wide ranges of library services also are provided including reference, information delivery services, reserves, and library instruction. Friends of NIU Libraries The Friends of NIU Libraries was founded in 1983 as an association of library supporters interested in contributing to the development of the resources of the University Libraries. Since 1983, the number of Friends memberships has grown to over 250 members. The Friends -- through member contributions, the Library Endowment Fund, and sponsorship of memorial and honor programs -- secure gifts and bequests and provide funds for the purchase of rare books, manuscripts, and other materials that could not otherwise be acquired by the library. The Friends also sponsor a series of programs each year that are open to the public and cover topics related to books, libraries, and publishing. Memberships are for one full year. Benefits include: Tax-deductible membership fees Preview the annual book sale in Founders Memorial Library Receive four issues of Founders' Type, a newsletter of the Friends of NIU Libraries Participate in Friends' Program Series Receive a 10 percent discount on merchandise at the following stores: Heartland Books, Woodstock Ed Ripp Fine Art Books, Chicago Receive a $5 discount on initial dental exams at Lonn E. Brander, DDS, DeKalb Receive a $3 discount on oil changes at Pit Pros, DeKalb & Sycamore Recommend future Friends' programs Attend special membership receptions Annual membership contributions are as follow: Student - $5 Individual - $25 Family - $40 Donor - $100 Benefactor/Corporate - $500 Life - $1000 For more information on joining the Friends of the NIU Libraries, call 753-8091 or e-mail libraryfriend@niu.edu. Adopt-A-Journal In order to provide our students with the best education possible, we must provide access to a wide variety of reference and research journals. Unfortunately, as journal prices continue to escalate and budgets tighten, the University Libraries has been forced to cancel over 2,900 subscriptions. With journal subscription price inflation running as high as 15 percent a year, it may be necessary to cancel additional titles. You can help by sponsoring a journal at Northern Illinois University. In doing so, you will be placing the latest in research and scholarship in the hands of our students and faculty. Adopt a journal for three years or longer You choose whether to pay the institutional subscription cost annually or for the entire period you have selected. Near the end of your commitment, you will be notified about the current subscription costs and asked if you would like to continue sponsoring the journal. Set up a fund to ensure long term support Your donation will be invested, and the investment interest accrued will be used to underwrite the annual cost of the journal(s). If you wish, your donation will be recognized with a bookplate in the bound volume(s) of the journal(s) and with your name in the catalog or Periodicals Holdings List (PHL) as the donor of specific years of the journal, or you may choose to remain anonymous. You will automatically become a member of the Friends of NIU Libraries for the duration of your subscription. In addition, your donation may be eligible for an income tax deduction. Friends Ensuring the Future The two Ensuring the Future trees, located in the front lobby of Founders Memorial Library, are a generous gift of the Friends of NIU Libraries in commemoration of NIU's Centennial celebration. The purpose of Ensuring the Future is to raise funds to enrich the University Libraries' resources. These beautiful, handcrafted bronze and brass sculptures are an everlasting tribute to the efforts of individuals who are committed to building a strong research center at Northern Illinois University. You are invited to inscribe a leaf, acorn, stone, or mini-tree (see below) to mark your dedication to maintaining excellent scholarship through library resources. Each engraving will serve as a lasting memento commemorating a person or event of your choice. You may wish to honor a parent, student, professor, or loved one; highlight a special occasion; or simply place your name among those of the other generous contributors. Your generous donation will help the University Libraries branch into the next century of higher education with roots firmly planted in academic excellence. LEAF - $ 200 ACORN - $500 SMALL STONE - $ 1,000 LARGE STONE - $ 5,000 MINI TREE - $10,000 Library Book Fund The Challenge of Change Technological advances have challenged the effectiveness of all libraries. The Northern Illinois University Libraries have responded to this challenge by steadily expanding and enhancing their collections and services. In keeping with Northern's academic mission and research objectives, the University Libraries have set as their priority the provision of state-of-the-art materials in every discipline. In order for the University Libraries to be able to offer a scholarly research environment, they must continue their practice of acquiring new and timely research materials. NIU's future success depends in great measure on the excellence and accessibility of its library resources. Library Book Fund The Library Book Fund was established to help guarantee the NIU community the essential resources needed to maintain Northern's noted mark of excellence. All students, parents, faculty, alumni, and friends are invited to participate in this goal through the purchase of a book in a personally-chosen field.Your gift of a book to be added to the library's collection will benefit generations to come and will serve as a tangible statement of your conviction that the library is the vital intellectual center of the university. The Library Book Fund provides an excellent opportunity to honor a loved one or an NIU graduate or faculty member, or to represent your personal commitment to advancing knowledge. Acknowledgment of your gift to the collection will include a bookplate in the volume inscribed as you designate. Once cataloged, the title and call number of your donated book will be sent to you and your honoree. Each time your book is used, your gift of knowledge will be noted, your intentions recalled, and your generosity remembered. With your help, we can meet the challenges and opportunities of the next century and build a library of distinction at our great university. Opportunities for Personal Giving Annual unrestricted giving provides crucial support for various programs and projects throughout the University Libraries. Endowments and gifts of tribute can be made to honor an individual or group. Planned gifts from your estate can be designated to support the library. Annual restricted gifts can be designated to support a specific program or collection within the library. Gifts-in-kind are donations of items such as manuscripts, maps, and archives from your own collection. Contact Us For more information on supporting the University Libraries, contact: The NIU Development Office at (815) 753-1386 or email us. Visit the University Libraries Web Site at http://www.niulib.niu.edu/.