General Collection
Materials We Need
The ISU Libraries is grateful for the generosity of those who wish to help our efforts to support the instructional, learning, and research mission of the University. We accept donations that correspond with these efforts and apply the same criteria for gift materials that are used for purchased materials. Because of this, and in most cases, duplicate materials and materials that fall outside the scope of current University curriculum will not be added to the collection. At the time of donation, all items become the property of the ISU Libraries, and the Libraries reserve the right to distribute, house, or dispose of these gifts at its discretion.
Materials We Can’t Accept
Due to limitations of space and preservation capacity, we do not normally consider the following materials as suitable donations:
- Outdated books in rapidly changing fields, (e.g., health, computer science), outdated encyclopedia sets
- Textbooks
- Popular fiction and popular nonfiction, (e.g., travel guides, self-help, DIY books, etc.)
- Mass market paperbacks
- Advanced reading copies or bound or unbound galleys
- Popular magazines including “National Geographic”
- Print journals or serials issues that do not fill a specific gap in our collection
- Print newspapers
- Materials in poor condition, including but not limited to those containing yellow/brittle pages, torn pages, water damage, or excessive highlighting/underlining
- Materials that are known to be, or could be believed to be illegal copies, (eg., non-commercial/self-made audio recordings, musical scores, video recordings)
- Donations that are left inside or outside of any Library location anonymously. All such materials will be automatically discarded.
Donation Process
- Pre-approval is required: Contact Cheryl Sebold, Library Assistant III (208-282-3246 or cherylsebold@isu.edu)
- The Library does not box or pick up donated materials.
- Donors will be expected to complete a Donation Form.
- A completed Donation Form will be forwarded to the ISU Foundation at donor’s request.
Acknowledgement of Receipt
- Upon receipt of the accepted donation and completed Donation Form, the Library will provide a letter of acknowledgement of the accepted donation that indicates the number of books donated.
- The Library will include an acknowledgement of accepted materials in the library's online catalog upon request.
- The Library will attach a gift plate with the donor’s name or honoree’s name on each accepted book upon request.
- Under current tax law, the Library cannot attach a value to materials received through donation. The donor may assign a value for tax purpose or elect to have the donation independently appraised to establish the value for tax purposes.
- Note: If the value of the gift is over $ 5,000, the donor must obtain an appraisal as defined by IRS Pub. 561, and provide a copy of the appraisal with the completed Donation Form.
Special Collections
We welcome the donation of the following to Special Collections:
- Rare materials
- Unique or specialized collections that will enhance the research or educational mission of the university
- Unique or specialized collections that relate directly to ISU
- Manuscript collections pertaining to the Library’s geographic collecting scope, which is Pocatello, southeast Idaho, and some areas of the Intermountain West
- Pre-approval is required. Contact Ellen Ryan, Head of Special Collections and University Archives at ellenryan@isu.edu
- See also https://www.isu.edu/library/libandcoll/special-collections/
Other Places for Your Gifts
Please be aware of any acceptance guidelines that may apply.
- Local public library
- Local second hand stores
- Local used bookstores
Questions?
Have questions about our gift policy? Please contact Cheryl Sebold (208-282-3246 or cherylsebold@isu.edu)
February 2025