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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 Don’t Accept.

Due to limitations of space and preservation capacity, we do not normally consider the following materials as donations:

  • Outdated books in rapidly changing fields, (e.g., health, computer science)
  • Older textbooks
  • Popular fiction and popular nonfiction, (e.g., travel guides, self-help, DIY books, outdated encyclopedia sets)
  • 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 yellow/brittle pages, torn pages, water damage, or excessive highlighting/underlining
  • Illegally copied materials, (e.g., audio recordings, musical scores, video recordings)

Exceptions for Special Collections.

We continue to welcome the donation of the following: 

  • 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 our geographic collecting scope, which is Pocatello, southeast Idaho, and some areas of the Intermountain West
  • Please contact Ellen Ryan, Head of Special Collections and University Archives at ellenryan@isu.edu
  • See also https://www.isu.edu/library/libandcoll/special-collections/

Donation Process

  • Only non-duplicative scholarly and educational materials that are consistent with the Libraries’ educational and research mission will be accepted.
  • Pre-approval is required: before any materials may be delivered to the library, a list of titles to be donated must be sent to the library at cherylsebold@isu.edu for approval. Donations Spreadsheet Template.
  • The library will return the title list indicating the materials that have been accepted for donation, and will suggest optimal delivery arrangements.
  • Single copies of faculty publications (e.g., monographs, edited collections, chapters in books) continue to hold a valued place within the Library collection.  Donors are asked to explicitly identify such items.
  • The library does not box or pick up donated materials.
  • Completed donation form will be forwarded to the ISU Foundation at donor’s request. Donors are not notified regarding decisions about whether or not a donated title is added to the collection.

Acknowledgement of Receipt

  • The Library will provide a letter of acknowledgement of the accepted donation that indicates the number of books donated. To receive a letter, donor should complete the form provided.
  • The Library will include 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 book upon request. 
  • Under current tax law, the Library cannot attach a value to materials received through donation. You 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.

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 at cherylsebold @isu.edu.

 

November 2022