The Library and the Illuminate Campaign

The library has long been an essential component of the college’s rich academic life, supporting an intense and continually changing environment of teaching, learning, research, and artistic endeavor.  In recent decades digital technologies and new media have transformed how the library fulfills its educational role. The college’s evolving curriculum and the pace and expense of technological change continually stretch its resources and challenge it to maintain its long tradition of excellence.

Several library fundraising priorities have been established for the Oberlin Illuminate Campaign. The library aims to raise a total $3.5 million in endowed and current-use funds as well as gifts-in-kind in four separate goal areas.  The campaign also provides opportunities to endow specific library positions. 

Library Resources: $1 million

Collection Digitization and Digital Scholarship: $1 million

Special Collections: $1 million

Discretionary Funding: $500,000 

Endowed Staff Positions

Success in achieving Illuminate Campaign goals will ensure that the library stays on the cutting edge of the digital revolution while also sustaining the role of the traditional book as an integral part of Oberlin’s educational experience.  It will position the library to maintain its superb quality, meet changing educational needs, and move forward technologically.