Giving to the Chapin Library
- Gifts of Books
- Gifts of Manuscripts
- Gifts of Art and Artifacts
- Cash Gifts and Endowments
- Acknowledgements
- Tax Deductions
The Chapin Library welcomes gifts of books within the scope of our collecting activities, which primarily support learning and teaching at Williams College. Despite the wide range of the Library’s holdings, some books offered to us may be out of scope, or duplicates of material already here; however, such items may be useful in the general Williams College Library or in the College Library’s Archives and Special Collections department, or can be sold or traded for the benefit of the Chapin Library. Library staff will gladly inspect individual volumes, collections, or lists of potential gifts, and advise on how best to proceed. Return to top
The Chapin Library collects manuscripts ranging from Egyptian papyri and Civil War letters to artists’ archives and drafts of modern literary works. The uniqueness of such materials, which capture and illuminate moments in history, makes them particularly welcome as primary sources for student and faculty research. As a general rule, space does not permit the Chapin Library to accept the extensive collections of papers now typically formed by public officials, corporations, and social organizations, but we are always happy to discuss donations of any kind. Return to top
The Chapin Library also accepts gifts of prints, drawings, posters, photographs, and other graphic materials which complement the Library’s books and manuscripts or otherwise would aid its educational mission. For instance, the Library owns original paintings, a typewriter, and other artifacts in its collection of Samuel “Erewhon” Butler; designs by illustrators C.B. Falls and Pauline Baynes; portrait prints of George Washington; a cannonball from the Battle of Bunker Hill; and thousands of stereo views (stereoscopic photos). Library staff consult with the Williams College Museum of Art and the College Archives about art donations of interest to more than one College department. Return to top
The Library welcomes cash gifts, whether one-time donations or endowed funds in support of purchases, operations, and special initiatives. While unrestricted gifts meet the widest variety of needs, the Custodian of the Chapin Library will be happy to suggest specific activities or acquisitions to which gifts may be applied, and to tailor these to the donor’s interests. In cooperation with College development officers, the Custodian can also discuss options for giving such as bequests and annuities. Endowed funds for the Chapin Library are managed through the College’s general investment pool, but income is used in careful observance of the intentions of the donor. Return to top
The Library’s named gift funds presently include (with special purposes noted):
- The H. Richard Archer Fund for modern fine printing
- The W. Edward Archer Fund
- The Tobias Cabot Fund for natural history books
- The Class of 1940 Americana Fund
- The Robert A. DeVilbiss Fund for sporting literature
- The Field Family Fund for Field books and manuscripts
- The Thomas A. Frank, Class of 1963 Memorial Americana Fund
- The Bruce Healy, Class of 1968 and Alice F. Healy Fund for rare French cookery books
- The J. Brooks Hoffman, M.D., Class of 1940 Americana Fund
- The John S. Van E. Kohn Fund for American literature
- The Hugh M. MacMullan, Class of 1928 Fund for purchases of T.S. Eliot, Rupert Brooke, and James Elroy Flecker
- The Ronald B. Moir, Class of 1951 Fund in support of Chapin Library publications
- The Mary L. Hurt Richmond Fund
- The Leonard B. Schlosser, Class of 1946 Fund in support of binding and conservation
- The John T. Snyder Library Fund for purchases of Edwin Arlington Robinson
Each volume added by gift to the Chapin Library is marked with a special label bearing the donor’s name or with other language appropriate to the donation. Books and manuscripts, and special funds such as those listed above, also serve as lasting memorials to loved ones, friends, and classmates. Letters of gratitude are sent from the Chapin Library to all donors and honorees. Return to top
Gifts to the College for the benefit of the Chapin Library are tax deductible as allowed by law. Tax deductions for gifts-in-kind of larger value may require an independent appraisal. In accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, the Chapin Library and Williams College, as interested parties (donees), may not provide a statement of value to the donor, and in accepting an appraisal take no position as to whether it is a “qualified appraisal” under IRS regulations. In all such matters, donors are encouraged to seek guidance from a professional accountant or other tax adviser. Return to top