Friends of the Angelo and Jennette Volpe Library
The Friends was once an independent foundation. In 2004, the Friends and other Tech foundations were subsumed by The Tech Foundation. As affiliate organizations, the former foundations retain their independence of operation. Almost since its inception, the Friends has funded professional development grants for library faculty.
A few years ago, the Friends began funding grants for clerical staff. Faculty and staff development is critical to the library given the rapid changes libraries have experienced over the last twenty years. Funds from the University simply could not have provided the level and amount of training people have needed.
The Friends also fund special projects. In 2005, the Friends provided $76,000 to expand the Archives, which had reached capacity. In 2007, the Friends provided $60,000 for new equipment for the Multimedia Production Studio.