August 20, 2025—Due to many variables related to space constraints, FY25 financial risk mitigation efforts and FY26 budget reductions, UW Libraries must pause unsolicited in-kind gifts for general collections for the foreseeable future. While in-kind gifts (including books, manuscripts, archival collections, and other formats) contribute to diverse collections that support teaching and research across disciplines, the Libraries’ Gift Program is not fiscally sustainable to support the staffing and infrastructure required to properly maintain it. This change in policy does not apply to all types of unsolicited in-kind gifts, but more narrowly defines the criteria, with a focus on rare, unique and special collections. This policy update is specific to UW Seattle campus libraries as UW Bothel and UW Tacoma libraries maintain their own campus-specific policies.
Having processed tens of thousands of in-kind gifts, UW Libraries staff appreciate the intention behind each gift, and the desire to contribute to teaching, learning and research in a meaningful way. By limiting the types of unsolicited gifts we accept, we aim to create a more sustainable process to care for selected donations of in-kind materials for the benefit of all library users.
Additional information can be found on the updated policy for donated books and other materials.
###