Skip to content

Donated Books and Other Material

Thank you for considering the University of Washington Libraries for your materials. While we are generally unable to accept unsolicited gifts of books and other materials for our general collections, we may occasionally consider items that complement our rare and distinctive holdings.

Because of the significant space limitations and substantial staff time and resources needed to evaluate, sort, process, and preserve donated materials, we are unable to accept most donation offers. We appreciate your interest in supporting the Libraries and your understanding of these constraints.

If you believe your gift would strengthen Special Collections, we invite you to share additional information:

Potential Gift to UW Special Collections

See more information at 

The UW Libraries reserves the right to decline any gift that does not further the university and Libraries’ goals or may involve special maintenance or other conditions the university would be unable to satisfy. Prior to acceptance, gifts are reviewed to see if it meets Libraries needs. All gifts-in-kind are reviewed, accepted and officially acknowledged.

If your gift offer is accepted, upon receipt, all gift materials become the property of the University of Washington Libraries. We reserve the right to determine retention, location, cataloging treatment, preservation, and other considerations relating to the use and disposition of gifts. Materials not selected for addition to our collection may be donated to other institutions, sold, recycled, discarded, or otherwise disposed of.

The UW does not provide gift valuation. In accordance with Internal Revenue Service regulations, the donor is responsible for determining the value of an accepted gift. If the estimated value of the gift exceeds $5,000, then a qualified appraisal is required by the IRS to substantiate a donor’s charitable deduction for gifts-in-kind. University personnel are not qualified appraisers, and federal regulations do not permit the university to give appraisals or estimates of value.

See more at 

Explore ways to give to the Libraries