University of Minnesota Endows Curatorial Chair for Kerlan Collection of Children's Literature

The University of Minnesota Libraries has announced the largest donation by first-time donors in its 155-year history, a $2m contribution to establish an endowed curatorial chair for the Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature.

The Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature is an internationally recognized children’s literature library and archive open to the public which holds more than 100,000 children’s books, original manuscripts, correspondence, artworks, galleys, color proofs, and other material for more than 1,700 authors and illustrators.

The gift comes from San Francisco bibliophiles Cathy and Glen Miranker who have a passion for children’s books, libraries, and Sherlock Holmes. “We believe reading and listening to children’s books is more than a pastime,” the couple said, “it’s a lifeline to a better future for kids and to a more caring, imaginative society." 

Earlier this month Rare Book School at the University of Virginia received a $3.1m donation from the Mirankers to endow a full-time curatorial chair for its teaching collection and exhibitions program, the largest single gift in Rare Book School’s 41-year history.

“The Kerlan Collection is astounding,” the Mirankers said, “with unrivaled holdings, a commitment to access and outreach, and deep connections with the writers and artists engaged in the single-most important area of publishing, children’s literature. We are honored to support the collection and its dynamic curator Lisa Von Drasek. We also anticipate that our gift will be a game-changer for the whole UMN library system by igniting new and creative fundraising efforts.”  

Von Drasek, whose new title is the Miranker Family Endowed Curatorial Chair for the Kerlan Collection, said: “It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Miranker Family Endowed Curatorial Chair ensures that the Kerlan will always have a librarian archivist with a background in children’s literature, child development, literacy, and have a practice in teaching and learning.” 

The next exhibition at the Kerlan opens on November 14, Journey to Joy: Rise of Representation in Children's Picture Books.