Get Involved
The Julia B. Ideson Society recognizes and honors those who leave an endowed gift of $50,000 or more to benefit the work of the Houston Public Library in perpetuity.
The Society takes its name from Julia Ideson, the first chief librarian of the Houston Public Library who served the people of Houston for 42 years and laid the foundations for a century of successful library growth. Endowments allow the Houston Public Library to sustain growth and programs that meet the needs of the people of Houston in unique and dynamic ways.
Those interested in establishing an endowment to benefit the Houston Public Library should contact Nick Sawicki, executive director of the Houston Public Library Foundation, via email at nsawicki@houstonlibraryfoundation.org
Per the Named Giving Agreement authorized by the Houston Public Library Foundation’s Board of Directors, the giving thresholds for particular endowment opportunities are as follows:
Houston Public Library Director: $5,000,000
Archivists, Curators: $1,500,000+
Senior Librarians: $1,000,000+
Fellows: $500,000+
Lecture Series: $250,000-$500,000+