Thank you for considering the LTU Library as a potential home for your donation.
While donations are free in the sense that the Library does not pay for them, there are associated costs involved with gifted materials. Cataloging, labeling, staff involvement and ongoing space commitments are just a few of the considerations.
To optimize the donation process, and to ensure your gift is utilized as you wish, please consider the following guidelines:
- Donated items should be relevant to the libraries' mission to advance the teaching and research programs of the University.
- Gifts are accepted based on the ability of the Library to store and process the items.
- Materials must be in very good condition, see below, and published within the last 5-7 years.
- Materials are accepted by the Library with the understanding that, once received, they are owned by Lawrence Technological University. The Library reserves the right to determine their retention, location, cataloging treatment, removal and other considerations related to their use or disposition. Donors are not able to place special restrictions on the use or disposal of the gifts.
- Books that are in poor condition (moldy, mildewed, falling apart, missing pages, with yellowed paper or highlighting, etc.) cannot be donated.
- Audiovisual material is not accepted.
- Donations of journals and serials are rarely added to the collection, unless it is a run of several years in a title where those volumes are missing. Individual issues cannot be accepted.
By request, the LTU Library can provide a receipt for proof of your donation.
By law, librarians cannot appraise gifts. Donors can find appraisers at the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America, the American Booksellers Association or the American Society of Appraisers, to name a few. Tax forms and guidelines can be found at the Internal Revenue Service website. The following forms and pamphlets may prove useful:
- IRS Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions)
- Publications 526 (Charitable Contributions)
- Publications 561 (Determining the Value of Donated Property) Books are covered on p. 5.
You are encouraged to consult with your tax advisor on the value of donated material and what can be claimed legally.
