Duke University has received a $10 million gift to renovate, computerize and expand its oldest Lilly Library.
The university received a $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., $2.5 million from Virginia and Peter Nicholas, and $2.5 million from Irene and William McCutchen and the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation to fund the renovation work.
“Duke Libraries offers our community a wealth of information and resources to further educational growth and learning,” university president Vincent E. Price said. “We are so grateful for the generosity of the McCutchen and Nicholas families and Lilly Endowment, which will renew one of our most treasured campus buildings and enhance the experience of everyone who comes through its doors.”
The library, named after philanthropist Ruth Lilly and opened in 1927, will soon have the technically advanced infrastructure, enhanced lightning, furnishing, and expansion of reading rooms.
“These remarkably generous gifts from the Nicholas and McCutchen families and the grant from Lilly Endowment will enable us to dramatically improve the academic experience for Duke students and faculty, while preserving the charm and character of Lilly’s most beloved spaces,” Deborah Jakubs, vice provost for library affairs, said.
The university is also planning to make new spaces for research, academic services and add a common space for students and faculty to gather and have informal interactions.
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