"Program for the Future," a $66.6 million development plan spanning 10 years, was announced in 1958 and included plans for a new library. In 1960, this development goal was spurred along by the Ford Foundation, which offered a $6 million challenge grant. Notre Dame accepted the challenge and set a goal to raise $18 million by June 30, 1963, listing the new library as its top priority project.
Fundraising materials featured grand plans for the new 14-story Memorial Library coupled with visionary statements, such as, "The Notre Dame Memorial Library will be the academic heart of a University destined to become a real center of excellence in higher learning in the very heartland of America.”
The University succeeded in meeting these fundraising goals, receiving $18.6 million in gifts from some 23,438 donors.
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