The Brown University Library is pleased to announce that it has received a grant of $250,000 from the Champlin Foundations to help with ongoing improvements to the John Hay Library and to enhance the George S. Champlin Memorial Stamp Collection. A grant of $200,000 will be used to purchase new display cases that will be prominently featured in proposed renovations to the Hay’s Reading Room. The new cases will significantly increase the Library’s exhibit capacity. Cases will be customized to fit the dimensions of the Reading Room and will be made of oak, in keeping with the building’s elegant décor. In addition, the Library received $50,000 to support and improve the Champlin Stamp Collection.
“The Champlin Foundations have been steadfast supporters of the Brown University Library for many years and we are grateful to them for generously providing this critical funding,” said Harriette Hemmasi, Joukowsky Family University Librarian. “The John Hay Library is one of the most important cultural institutions in Rhode Island. This award, the first contribution toward renovating the magnificent Reading Room, will help us improve access to the many rare and beautiful items currently housed as part of Brown’s peerless special collections. Restoring the John Hay Reading Room to its original design and purpose is a top priority of the Boldly Brown Campaign. As a result of this initial funding, we can continue to preserve items from our shared cultural heritage while simultaneously preparing us to better serve the many students and scholars who rely on our holdings to create their own groundbreaking research.”
The Champlin Foundations is comprised of three foundations first established in 1932 by George S. Champlin, Florence C. Hamilton and Hope C. Neaves. Today, its primary goal is to fund tax exempt organizations within Rhode Island that will have the greatest impact on the broadest possible segment of the population. In 1997, the Brown University Library recognized the Champlin Foundations longstanding philanthropy with the William Williams award, the Library’s highest honor.
The John Hay Library, located on 20 Prospect Street, is home to Brown’s special collections and archives. The Hay preserves and maintains more than 2,500,000 items accumulated over two centuries. Among its many signature collections are one of the world’s largest collections of American poetry and plays, seminal collections on the life and political career of Abraham Lincoln, and a world-class collection of military art and iconography. In addition, the John Hay Library houses the Champlin Memorial Stamp Collection of international issues. The Hay is open to the general public from 9-6, Monday-Friday, and 1-5, Sundays.
Image: Reading Room of the John Hay Library, 1948.