The university is in the midst of a campaign to raise $350 million for scholarships, endowed faculty chairs, program support and new facilities. Around $280 million has been raised so far.

The donation by the Sobratos will go toward building a new library on the campus. The new library will have a floor area of 194,000 square feet spread over four levels. The current library has a floor area of 100,000 square feet.

Both John and Abby Sobrato are graduates of Santa Clara. Through the years, the philanthropic family has been associated with the university in many ways. John chaired the SCU Board of Fellows between 2001 and 2002 and Abby is the former president of the Catala Club, another fundraising group at the university.

"The university, through their board of regents, asked us to support this project," John said. "This is their biggest remaining project."

He said that libraries have become much more than a depository of books. "There is so much more information available now through multimedia forums," he said.

The Sobrato gift also honors Father Norman Martin, professor emeritus of history at the university, after whom the new library's archives and special collection section will be named.

"We have known him since our university days. He's a great ambassador for Santa Clara University," John said.

Jim Purcell, vice president for university relations at SCU, said that whenever community leaders step up and make an investment, it sets an example for others. "The Sobratos have strongly endorsed our campaign but we still have a long way to go," he said.

John Sobrato heads the Sobrato Development Companies, one of the largest residential and commercial development firms in the Silicon Valley. The family is involved in several other community projects. "About 30 percent of my time is spent on community-related activities," he said. "It makes me feel good to be able to touch people's lives."