STARTING A DEVELOPMENT OFFICE: ONE ACADEMIC LIBRARY'S EXPERIENCE

Many libraries, both academic and public, are considering institutionalizing their fundraising activities and hiring a development officer. The development officer, usually not a professional librarian, is responsible for the overall fundraising/development effort including endowment campaigns, annual fund drives, capital campaigns and special events. The University of Arizona Library's first development officer was hired just over 18 months ago. In an interview with University of Arizona Librarian David Laird and Development Officer Miriam Nickerson, many of the important issues that libraries need to consider in starting a development office were discussed.