Finding Alternative Sources of Revenue

As state support dollars shrink at public research institutions, the University of Arizona (UA) Libraries—like others—have had to seek revenue from other sources. Cafés, for-credit courses, grants, and partnerships with athletics departments are just a few of the ways libraries are supplementing their budgets. This article gives an overview of revenue-generation ideas and issues to consider. At the UA Libraries, a student fee has been a significant source of funding and tips are offered here for getting a student fee approved. Finally, since funding shortages are likely to be an ongoing challenge, the importance of training and instruction in fundraising is emphasized.