August 13, 2025
Friends of Morris Library fundraiser is Sept. 6
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The annual Friends of Morris Library fall fundraising gala, which helps provide faculty, staff and students with essentials in support of the library’s educational and scholarly mission, is set for Saturday, Sept. 6, in the library’s Hall of Presidents and Chancellors and first floor rotunda.
The gala from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. will include live music from SIU School of Music faculty and students and food catered by Hunan Restaurant. The library’s Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) will receive a collection of manuscripts for plays about the early years of coal mining in Southern Illinois. SCRC will provide a display of other relevant items in the collection and give a presentation on other materials in the library.
Individual tickets and sponsorships are available online or by checks payable to Friends of Morris Library and mailed to SIU Foundation, Colyer Hall, Mail Code 6805, Carbondale, IL 62901. Ticket sales end Aug. 29.
Morris Library is the largest research library in the region and serves students, faculty and scholars, both on campus and around the world.
With money raised through this and other events, the group has provided the library with:
- Additions to the library collection.
- Library Open House during the SIU Weeks of Welcome.
- Support of the faculty Open Educational Resources initiative, helping faculty members develop free electronic textbooks for students.
- The Delta Award, which recognizes local individuals or organizations who contribute their writings and services to the historical culture and preservation of the Southern Illinois area, state and Midwest region.
- Purchasing equipment essential to library operations.
More information on the event is available in the library’s administrative office at 618-453-2522 or adminoffice@lib.siu.edu.