Can I donate books to the library?
Answer
The University of the District of Columbia Library may accept gifts of books and other research materials that would enhance the collection. The University Library retains the right to accept or decline all potential gifts. For manuscripts, music, audiovisuals, and other archival resources, please contact the Special Collections/Archives or the Jazz Archives.
The following guidelines are to assist prospective donors:
I. General Guidelines
The UDC Library only accepts materials which are highly relevant to the university’s research and instruction needs. All potential gifts will be evaluated by reference librarians in accordance with the Library’s Collection Development Policy. Potential gift items should meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Support the University’s current and evolving curriculum and academic disciplines.
- Support the research needs of faculty and students.
- Enhance the current library collection.
Types of donations that will not be accepted
- Materials in poor physical condition (e.g., contain mold or mildew, tears, stains, water damage) or are in any way impaired in a manner that results in limited or restricted use. These are potentially harmful to existing collections.
- Materials that require significant restoration, conservation, or unique storage, unless accompanied by appropriate funding.
- Materials with restrictions that negatively affect access to and use of the materials.
- Materials which duplicate current holdings.
- Outdated, superseded titles.
- Popular trade paperbacks.
- Periodicals (Magazines, Journals, Newspapers, Newsletters, etc.)
- Audiovisual materials.
- Artifacts.
- Photocopies/facsimiles of original materials.
II. Process of Accepting Gifts
- Potential donors of gift materials must contact the University Library.
- Donors are required to provide a title list and description of any gift before it can be considered. In the absence of such documentation, the Library may require on-site evaluation of the collection before a decision to accept can be made.
- Reference librarians will evaluate gifts for appropriateness to the collections.
- Only the Director of the Learning Resources Division can authorize the acceptance of a large collection of gifts on behalf of the University Library.
- Receipts of gifts will be acknowledged via a letter or email that includes the number of items donated. The Library will not assign monetary value of gifts for tax purposes.
- Donors are responsible for the cost and handling of the delivery of gifts.
- Gifts delivered without prior arrangement or contact with the Library will not be accepted or acknowledged.
III. Disposition of Gift Materials
- Gifts selected for the collection will be cataloged and listed in the Library’s catalog.
- All gift materials will be added to the general collections. The Library cannot maintain separate named collections but may add a donor and/or collection note in the catalog if the collection is considered highly significant.
- Gifts that are not added to the collection will be disposed of appropriately.
For more information, please contact us at ask@udc.libanswers.com
The following organization typically accept book donations:
Goodwill of Greater Washington
Your Local Library (or Friends of the Library)
Used Bookstores (such as Second Story Books, Lost City Books, Capitol Hill Books, etc.)
