Friends of the Library

To meet the Library's mission of being recognized as a premier maritime research center offering quality reference services, there is a continuing need for support from outside the Museum.

Find out how you can help The Mariners' Museum Library at Christopher Newport University reach its goals, which include:

Conserving, enhancing and promoting access to an extraordinary collection of print and manuscript materials dating from the 15th century Supporting the research and development of the USS Monitor Center Reaching new audiences and increasing audience use and satisfaction of Library services Pursuing the highest quality of scholarship Attracting and retaining a knowledgeable and dedicated staff
	JOIN THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY How to Join Individuals, organizations, businesses and clubs are invited to join the Friends of the Library. Membership is offered to any individual or organization who: Is an active Museum Member Has made a monetary gift, at any level, designated specifically for the Library during the current fiscal year

Background

The Friends of the Library was formed in 2002 to act as an organization that supports the mission of the Library. The purpose is to create public and scholarly interest in and greater use of the Library, to provide financial support to the Library, and to sponsor cultural and related programs.

Recent Activities Sponsored by the Friends

• Library Brochure - Nov. 2002
• Popular lectures, such as a talk by Edward Cline, author of Sparrowhawk, an historical fiction series - Feb. 2003
• Library Promotional DVD, Video, mini CDs - 2003/2004
• Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress - April 2003
• Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Movie Event, cosponsored with the Education Department staff - November 2003
• Spring Tour of the Thomas Jefferson Libraries in Charlottesville, Virginia - May 2004.

Benefits

• Contribute to the conservation and preservation of the extraordinary collection
• Become an active participant in promoting the Library
• Receive invitations to special Library events, including behind-the-scenes tours and viewing recently acquired items in the rare and special collections
• Share ideas with a dedicated group of Library supporters

VOLUNTEER

The Mariners' Museum Library at Christopher Newport University has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available. Join a team of dedicated individuals who take pride in contributing to the management, preservation, and promotion of one of the richest maritime history collections in the world.

Hours

Give us as little as a few hours of your time, or up to several days a week. For most projects, volunteering takes place during the business hours of the Library, Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Ongoing Opportunities

• Transcription of letters and other manuscripts
• Assisting with Chris-Craft research
• Cataloging of ships' logbooks and diaries
• Processing and cataloging special collections
• Conducting a survey of vessel plans
• Greeting visitors, answering phone inquiries, etc.
• Shelving books and filing photographs and printed material Data entry and performing other clerical tasks
• Copying, sorting, filing and indexing newspaper articles

Benefits

• Free admission to the Museum
• 20% discount at The Museum Shop
• 25% discount for library services, including research, copies and reproductions or plans
• Reduced rates for Museum programs
• Volunteer awards, dinners and outings
• Subscription to the Mariners' Museum Calendar of Events

To Become a Volunteer

• Contact us at library@MarinersMuseum.org or 757-591-7782 and schedule a visit to the Library, discuss potential projects and complete a Volunteer Application Form
• Attend an orientation to the Library
• Attend volunteer and docent orientations to The Mariners' Museum

DONATE

The Library encourages donations of print and 

manuscript materials related to maritime history, along with monetary donations that help us process, conserve, and prepare materials for use by researchers.

What kind of items can be donated?

• All variety of print materials and manuscripts, which relate to maritime history, technology, art, commerce, and the culture of the sea
• Types of material may include books, periodicals, newspapers, photographs, plans, maps, charts, brochures, pamphlets, ships' logbooks, letters, diaries, memoirs, scrapbooks, business records, auction and marine product catalogs, etc.
• All print and manuscript material should be free of mold and mildew.
• Audiovisual and electronic media will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

How do I donate print materials and manuscripts?

• Deliver print or manuscript material, free of mold or mildew, to the Library in boxes or envelopes.
• Provide your name, address, date and telephone number or email address.
• If you are donating more than 20 books, please provide a list of items in advance and include the author, title, publisher, and publication date.
• If you plan to mail items to the Library or donate audiovisual or electronic media, please contact us in advance at library@MarinersMuseum.org or 757-591-7782.

• If you have any questions about our donation procedures, please contact us.

  For manuscripts, ships' logbooks, plans, family and business papers and photographs, contact manuscripts@MarinersMuseum.org.

  For books, periodicals, catalogs, and printed material, contact library@MarinersMuseum.org.

  For monetary donations, visit Development.

What will I receive after I donate the material or money?

• A letter acknowledging the donation for your records
• For special collections, you will receive a copy of the agreement transferring ownership of the material to the Library.
• A bookplate will be placed inside the donation, when appropriate.
• Library staff cannot give tax advice and are not permitted to appraise the monetary value of the donated material. However they will provide a list of resources for you to obtain appraisal information.