Honour Loved Ones through Western Libraries Digital Bookplate Program

Giving to Western Libraries through our exciting Digital Bookplate Program will provide you with a unique opportunity to say Thanks! or Way to go! or You will be missed! to that special someone in your life, whether it be a mentor, child, employee, friend, or colleague. In fact, anyone who is special enough to honour, commemorate, or remember merits a digital bookplate opportunity.

A digital bookplate is an attractive digital crest, which is permanently linked to print and electronic book titles in Western Libraries' online catalogue. Digital bookplates bear the name of the individual who is being honoured or remembered, as well as the name of the thoughtful donor who has chosen to pay tribute, in this very meaningful way, while supporting Western Libraries' collections. Click here to view sample digital bookplates [pdf].

The program concept originated last year when Karen Marshall, Assistant University Librarian (Information Resources and Access), was attending a conference on academic libraries. "After joining a session on digital bookplates," explains Marshall, "it quickly became evident that digital bookplates provide a wonderful opportunity to recognize our donors in a public manner and, at the same time, achieve workflow efficiencies." Marshall credits the dedicated team of Western Library staff with making the vision reality, adding that, "The energy and hard work of our staff has allowed us to build this program, adapting it to our special family of current and potential donors."

Walter Zimmerman, a librarian at Western Libraries, donated one of the first digital bookplates in memory of Guy Tyndall, a long time employee of Western and father to his friend and library colleague, John Tyndall. Walter states, "The digital bookplate was an appropriate way to honour Guy and show my friendship to John, while supporting Western Libraries."  Excited about the digital bookplate project since its inception, Walter believes the program "brings the bookplate into the 21^st century."

Your gift through the Digital Bookplate Program will enable Western Libraries to maintain excellence in connecting people and information, locally and internationally, every moment of every day. Your gift will enhance our libraries' work, supporting the teaching, learning, research and scholarship missions of the University by building, preserving and digitizing print and electronic collections for present and future generations.

Digital bookplates can be offered and enjoyed by a wide audience including, but not limited to, Western alumni, current and retired faculty and staff, students, parents, classmates, corporations, foundations and organizations.

All gifts to Western Libraries Digital Bookplate Program are tax deductible, with gifts acknowledged and honorees notified.

For more information, download an information brochure [pdf] and pledge form [pdf] or call Sherry Foster, Alumni and Development Officer for Western Libraries at 519.661.2111 x88078.

Thank you for supporting Western Libraries!

Giving Resources

• University Librarian's Campaign Message
• Priority Campaign Projects for Western Libraries
  • Scholars Space [pdf]
  • Digital Zone [pdf]
  • Collections Culture [pdf]
  • Creating the Future Fund (for information, contact Sherry Foster at 519.661.2111 x88078)
• Western Libraries Fast Facts [pdf]