donations

[pam5@Lehigh.EDU (PHILIP A. METZGER)]

The thread of discussion on the fate of donations to libraries has been
interesting, although it's so complicated I doubt if the issue can ever be
settled to everyone's satisfaction. May I ask a slightly different question of
this group? I have been asked about any known instances in which something
happened to a collection before it was given. That is to say, the potential
donor intended to give his collection to a library at some future date, but
before that date something intervened--the house burned down, the donor died
unexpectedly, the children put pressure, etc. This is by way of making a case
to donors not to put off the day too long. Any comments or anecdotes?

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Philip A. Metzger / Linderman Library / 30 Library Drive / Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA 18015-3067 + + + Associate Director for Preservation and
Special Collections / (610) 758-4506 fax (610) 974-6471 / internet
pam5@lehigh.edu + + + Director, Lehigh University Press (610) 758-3933
fax (610) 974-2823 / internet inlup@lehigh.edu  + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +