Philanthropy can make a transformational impact on the library and the people at U-M today.

Contributions to the library’s Strategic Opportunities Fund (formerly the Third Century Fund) allowed Detroit-based artist and U-M alum Doug Jones to bring community members together to create art based on library collections.

Alfredo Silvestre and Joseph Daniel acknowledged the role that study carrels played in both their domestic harmony — and in Silvestre’s degree — by funding the remodel of a study carrel.

Douglas and Beverly Lee made a bequest to benefit those who use the Music Library, to process and digitize materials; promote the music collection through exhibits, publications and symposia; offer internships in music librarianship; and host public lectures by prominent musical scholars.

Filmmaker Nancy Savoca added a strong female voice to the Screen Arts Mavericks & Makers collection by donating her personal archive that spans her career as a director, producer and screenwriter. The collection is used extensively by students in the Department of Film, Television, and Media.