Marjan Petty, Libraries Development Office
"I don't need a will. I don't own anything of value" is a statement made by many people when asked if they have a current will. But those same people are surprised when they actually add up their assets and assign a contemporary value to them.
A will is a very important document. It gives instructions regarding the guardian of minor children, and not only directs how the person's assets are to be distributed, but it also names the person (or company) to direct the distribution. A will can be changed at any time and does not require the individual to give up any assets during his or her lifetime. Yet it provides the satisfaction of knowing that specific instructions have been left behind for final disposition of the estate to family members and/or to the donor's favorite charitable organization.
Gifts made under the terms of a will are a powerful way to leave a lasting legacy to the UW Libraries. Such bequests help to insure that the Libraries can stay abreast of the latest technology, make resources available to students, provide teaching tools for our faculty and public service to our community.
One recent example of a bequest to the Libraries is the Helen Johns Library Staff Endowment. This gift, received in May from the estate of Helen Johns, is a testimonial to Miss Johns herself. Head of the Circulation Division for 28 years, Miss Johns loved her work and libraries in general. She would often invite the library staff to her home for luncheon or tea. Her charitable bequest now makes it possible for the library staff to attend conferences, workshops and training sessions. The income from her bequest will subsidize registration fees, travel and other costs associated with furthering staff training.
Dan and Ellen Blom have also included the Libraries under the terms of their wills. They have made a generous provision to add to the Blom Endowed Library Fund, which was established by their daughter in their honor. Income from this endowment is used to facilitate an annual lecture. UW History Professor Suzanne Lebsock was the inaugural speaker.
Bequests like these can take various forms: a specific dollar amount, a specific asset, a percentage of property, or the property remaining after other gifts have been made. If you need more information, please call 685-1973. All inquiries are confidential and without obligation.