ASU Library
John W. Schwada Memorial Endowment for Rare Books
John W. Schwada Memorial Endowment for Rare Books
Learn more about your impact
From a clay tablet to Star Wars, the ASU Library's Rare Books and Manuscripts Collection comprises more than 34,000 rare items, spanning 40 centuries. Your donation helps the ASU Library’s Distinctive Collections purchase and preserve rare books and manuscripts that support the teaching and research missions at ASU. Donors like you ensure that current and future generations of students have access to discover an inspiring collection of unique materials, from artist books to manuscripts.
This fund was established in memory of John W. Schwada, ASU’s 13th president, serving from 1971-1981, one of the most dynamic periods in university history.
From rare books to manuscripts, materials in the ASU Library’s Distinctive Collections support scholars and learners in their creative investigations and inquiry. Your gift to this fund gives us the opportunity to expand our collections and acquire unique materials that inspire and engage the ASU community and beyond."
Impact of Donor Support
- More learners can pursue higher education. In 2022, 22,000 donors contributed $66.3 million for scholarships.
- More students succeed. ASU ranks #1 among the state’s public universities for its 86% first-year retention rate thanks in part to donor-funded student success initiatives.
- And donors helped ASU offer more than 4,500 hours of free tutoring.
“Your generosity helps students and scholars interact with unique materials. With your support, Distinctive Collections will be able to continue to engage students with original, primary source materials that encourage critical thought and multidisciplinary learning.”