The University of Michigan Papyrus Collection, one of the most prestigious collections of ancient manuscripts in the world, greatly benefits from the generous support of private donors. Significant progress has been made in properly housing the Collection and making the world of the papyri available to the public. Cataloging, digitizing and preserving the U-M Papyrus Collection is both labor intensive and costly. Your donation could be used for the daily workings of the collection, or could assist in the research, publication, or conservation of the collection. Gifts to the Papyrology Collection can be made to either the Meader Papyrology Endowment or the Papyrology Enrichment Fund. Below are descriptions of what these different accounts are used for, along with links to their individual donation websites. If you would like to make a gift, please follow one of the links to be directed to the Library's secure online giving site.
Of the more than 16,000 individual fragments in the U-M Papyrus Collection, only one-third of the collection has been published and the majority of fragments are still awaiting proper conservation. In addition to the ongoing study and publication of these documents, a continued effort must be made each year to conserve these fragile records of the past by removing debris and aligning pieces. Donations will be used to support the cost of research and publication of findings, to bring in national and international scholars in areas that our expertise does not cover, hire graduate and undergraduate assistants to be trained in conservation and technology, and to organize workshops and seminars. Your gift will directly contribute to the discovery of new marvels, assuring the U-M papyrologists have the time and resources necessary to conserve and study these treasures and to share this collection with the rest of the world.
Although we have gone to great lengths to make the U-M Papyrus Collection available to the world through the APIS online database, there is nothing quite like experiencing these ancient treasures in person. A gift to this account will contribute towards our continuing mission of educational outreach. The ability to provide public tours, the preparation of future exhibits, and the continued maintainance and expansion of our online presence is due largely to public support. Additionally, we are always attempting to update the Collection Study Room and make it more accessible to scholars and students. Your assistance will aid in this ongoing task with the addition of new equipment and technology.
If you would like to mail your gift, please make your check payable to "University of Michigan," write "Meader Papyrology Endowment" or "Papyrology Enrichment Fund" on the memo line, and mail to:
Library Development
University of Michigan Library
8076 Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library
913 S. University Avenue
Ann Arbor MI 48109-1190
We invite you to support the University of Michigan Papyrology Collection today!
