FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
Please note that the FAU Libraries do not have staff available to pick up books and other donated materials.
Thank you for your interest in supporting the Florida Atlantic University Libraries! Every academic program at FAU relies on the materials and services provided by the Libraries.
The FAU Libraries’ General Collections include books, journals, databases, and videos in electronic and print format and in all subject areas that support the curricular, instructional, research, and programmatic needs of the University. Most physical items in the General Collection may be checked out and used outside of the library buildings. Please see the Special Collections Gifts and Donations Policy for more details on donating items to the Libraries’ Special Collections Department.
As the collections at the Florida Atlantic University Libraries grow and evolve, so have our parameters for accepting donated materials. The processing and cataloging of gift books requires a great deal of space, funding, and staff. Like many other libraries, we are decreasing our collection of print materials and focusing more on electronic books, journals, and databases. Your financial support continues to help us maintain our electronic collection of cutting-edge scholarly materials. Please consider making a financial gift today.
By making our collection available electronically, we are more readily able to provide access to our materials to users of all our locations and for FAU researchers located anywhere the internet is available. The shift to electronic resources comes with the additional benefit of the re-envisioning of our library spaces into individual study and user-driven group areas that include: the Rubin and Cindy Gruber Sandbox, an Artificial Intelligence and Robotics hub, additional computer stations, a Graduate study lounge, and additional space for our priceless and unique collections that include the Marvin and Sybil Weiner Spirit of America Collection, Jaffe Center for Book Arts, and the Recorded Sound Archives.
Items Sought by the FAU Libraries
FAU students and faculty are encouraged to donate:
- Current textbooks published within the last 3 years
- Test prep books published within the last 2 years (e.g. MCAT, LSAT, GRE study guides)
How to Donate
Prospective donors are asked to complete a brief Donor Donation Intention Form. All forms will be reviewed by a collection development librarian and a library representative will respond as soon as possible to the donation form. All gifts must be pre-approved prior to delivery.
Gifts delivered directly to the libraries without prior communication with a librarian will not be accepted. Local donors may want to consider reaching out to the Friends of the Boca Raton Public Library. Additionally, The American Library Association has provided a Book Donations webpage that offers an array of organizations and companies that accept book donations.
The Libraries do not have staff available to pick up donated materials.
Ownership and Disposition of Gift Materials
Gifts to which the donor has attached conditions, such as those concerning retention, housing, or classification, will not be accepted for inclusion in the Libraries’ General Collection. Upon receipt and acceptance of the donation, the FAU Libraries are considered owners of the materials and are solely responsible for determining the retention, location, cataloging treatment, and other considerations relating to the use or disposition of gift materials. Accordingly, the Libraries are under no obligation to discuss retention decisions with the donor or other parties. Gifts not selected or retained may be sold or recycled for the benefit of the Libraries.
Tax Considerations
For IRS reporting purposes, it is important to note that it is the responsibility of the donor to keep accurate records describing the individual items donated and the value attached to each item. The Libraries do not supply itemized lists of donations. Donors are encouraged to consult legal, accounting, or other professional advisors about the current IRS regulations governing non-cash charitable contributions. IRS Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property (2007) http://www.irs.gov/publications, may be informative in determining whether to claim a tax deduction.
Federal tax regulations prohibit FAU Libraries from appraising gift materials for tax purposes. If you plan to claim a tax deduction for the value of your gift, you can search for an appraiser through the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America.
Acknowledgement
The Libraries will acknowledge all gifts or donations from identified donors in the form of a letter, noting the total number of donated items. The libraries will review requests on a case by case basis for bookplating materials which will be added to the collection.
Referenced Library Gift Policies
- American University. (2021). University Library, Gift Books Program. Retrieved September 8, 2021, from https://www.american.edu/library/collections/gifts.cfm
- Boston College Libraries. (2020, September 9). Gift Policy. Retrieved September 8, 2021, from https://libguides.bc.edu/gifts
- Bowling Green State University Libraries. (2018, August). University Libraries Gift Policy. Retrieved September 8, 2021, from https://www.bgsu.edu/library/about/GivingtotheBGSULibrary/LibraryGiftPolicy.html
- Davidson College. (n.d.). Gift-in-Kind Donation Policy. Retrieved September 8, 2021, from https://www.davidson.edu/library/about-library/library-policies/gift-kind-donation-policy
- Library of Congress. (n.d.). Donations/Gifts of Library Materials. Retrieved September 8, 2021, from https://www.loc.gov/acq/gifts/
- San Diego State University Library. (2021, August 20). Library Gifts-in-Kind Donation Policy. Retrieved September 8, 2021, from https://library.sdsu.edu/sites/default/files/SDSULibraryCollectionDevelopmentPolicy.pdf
- University of Denver, University Libraries. (2021). Gifts Policy. Retrieved September 8, 2021, from https://library.du.edu/policies/giftpolicy.html
Last modified at 9/16/2021
