Herman B Wells Library Endowment Fund

Indiana University Libraries General

The Herman B Wells Library is a cornerstone of the IU Bloomington campus and experience—and this endowed fund powers much of the research, learning, and student activity that happens there. Income from gifts has been used to purchase collection materials, fund cataloging and description, update cataloging software, and more. The fund is an integral part of IU Libraries’ Collections work, filling gaps when budgets fall short and enabling special purchases when opportunities unexpectedly arise.

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Indiana University Libraries General

The Herman B Wells Library is a cornerstone of the IU Bloomington campus and experience—and this endowed fund powers much of the research, learning, and student activity that happens there. Income from gifts has been used to purchase collection materials, fund cataloging and description, update cataloging software, and more. The fund is an integral part of IU Libraries’ Collections work, filling gaps when budgets fall short and enabling special purchases when opportunities unexpectedly arise.

Additional Info

In 2005, the Bloomington campus’ main library was renamed the Herman B Wells Library in honor of the beloved former IU President’s dedication and support for the university library.

“We are indebted to Herman Wells for his vision and tireless efforts that transformed Indiana University into a world-class research university,” said then IU President Adam Herbert. “In recognition of President Wells’ distinguished institutional leadership, it is particularly fitting that the university’s central repository of knowledge—our main library—be named after him.”

Along with renaming the flagship library, an endowment was established in Wells’ name. Income generated from gifts to this fund can be used for:

  • The acquisition, care, and maintenance of books and other resources
  • Shipping, cataloging, and describing acquired materials
  • Creating access to ensure books and other resources are discoverable
  • Librarian travel, if necessary to procure materials
  • Other important needs deemed relevant by the Dean of the Libraries

Thank you for your generous support of this vital university resource!

Important Disclosures

Please note, the name and purpose of the fund displayed on this page constitute the authorized description of the fund by the Indiana University Foundation, Inc. Your gift supports the fund as described herein.

This account is an endowment. Your gifts to this fund will be invested in perpetuity to provide annual income to support the purpose of the account. Per Indiana University Foundation, Inc. policy, endowment accounts which do not ultimately become fully funded at the required minimum through pledges/gifts will be converted to an expendable account supporting the same purpose as the original endowed fund.