How did the Rare Book Department acquire its collections?
Almost all collections in the Rare Book Department have been acquired by donation or bequest. In addition, Simon Gratz, one of the original members of the Board of Trustees, and several other donors set up endowment funds that allow the Rare Book Department to add to existing collections. The Arthur Rackham Collection and portions of the Pennsylvania German Collection were purchased exclusively with trust funds. The Rare Book Department does not purchase any material with city or state funds.
