University libraries nationwide are becoming increasingly involved in such endeavors. In late 1998, USM Libraries joined the University's development efforts by creating the position of Library Development Officer. With the creation of this position, USM Libraries began its first formal program for fund raising. Another successful program for increasing funding for book purchases is the Scholar Society.
Endowments are vitally important to libraries.
They provide sources of funding that can be relied upon in perpetuity, regardless of the twists and turns of the university budget. Two new endowments have already been established in the year 2000. The John E. and Melissa P. McCarty Geology Library Endowment will provide exceptional resources to benefit geology students and others who wish to learn more about this field. The McCartys have another library endowment, created several years ago, that benefits the reference collection at Cook Library. The Ora Jo Mathis Library Endowment for Genealogy and Special Collections was created in memory of Mrs. Mathis by her husband, J. V. Mathis.