Gifts of Books and Other Library Materials
Policies & Procedures


Gifts-In-Kind Donations

Gifts of books, manuscripts, archival materials, scores, works of art, photographs, media, historical instruments or apparatuses, CDs, recordings and other tangible materials significantly contribute to the excellence, reputation, teaching an d research missions of the University Libraries. Major gifts over the years form the Libraries most valuable special collections, renowned world-wide for unique scholarly and research content. Other gifts assist the Libraries to foster learning and in formation access, to strengthen and diversify collections in all formats, and to support research investigation.

The UB Libraries encourages and welcomes support through the donation of gifts-in-kind. These gifts enhance a tradition ensuring the continued success of the UB Libraries in supporting the research, teaching, and community service missions of the University at Buffalo. Gifts also create collections that raise the visibility and reputation of the UB Libraries as a center for research excellence and innovation.

If you are considering a gift-in-kind to the UB Libraries, please fill out and submit our Gift Proposal Form, or contact the Collections Officer in the appropriate Libraries' unit.

Acceptance of Gifts

All offers of gift collections or individual items receive careful consideration by the UB Libraries. In many cases, librarians or professionals with specialized knowledge and experience will review a gift offer for its appropriateness to the Libraries, collection parameters, and policies. Initial review of proposed gifts-in-kind will consider any potential restrictions, limitations, and especially costs that will be associated with the gift and its processing and retention. Acceptance of d onations or collections of more than 50 items must be approved by the Collections Officer of the appropriate library.

Gifts-in-kind valued in excess of $25,000 must be reported, prior to acceptance, to UB Development and may be reviewed by the UB Gift Acceptance/Naming Committee.

All gifts accepted by the UB Libraries become the property of the UB Libraries or the UB Foundation, in accordance with established policies. These entities reserve the right to determine retention, disposition, location, treatment, and other c onsiderations related to use. A deed of gift will often be prepared jointly by the Libraries and the donor for significantly valuable gifts or extensive collections. Materials accept ed as gifts cannot be returned to donors.

The UB Libraries encourages donors to provide an inventory of items to be donated, including information such as author, title, publication date, or basic description of non-book items.

Funding to Support Gift Collections

Donors of significant collections are urged to consider providing funding support for the preservation, housing, processing, and continuing use of the materials. Discussions regarding support of collections should be held with the director or d esignee of the library unit accepting the collection. A suggested guideline for collection support is $1000 per 100 items, or the establishment of an endowment for the collection. Such support can also provide funding for organization, cataloging, pro cessing, preservation, publicity, and reformatting (such as digitization) of items or collections to facilitate access, use, and enhanced learning and research.

Types of Gifts Desired

• Collections or items that are original (primary material), rare or unique (not widely held by libraries).
• Items not presently in the UB Libraries collections; must be related to established collection parameters.
• Items that replace missing copies or copies in poor condition in the Libraries collections.
• Non-book collections and items, such as archival collections, manuscripts, scores, photographs, architectural plans, media, recordings, CDs, DVDs, art objects, and historical instruments or apparatuses.
• Collections or items documenting literary, artistic, or music communities, or cultural movements.
• Locally significant collections and materials.

Types of Materials that Generally Cannot Be Accepted

• Items duplicated in the UB Libraries collections.
• Mass market magazines.
• Items in poor condition.
• Computer/technical manuals over 3 years old.
• Undergraduate textbooks.
• 78 rpm recordings
• Items more suitable in the public library context.

There are alternative options for donation of materials that may not be needed by the UB Libraries. The Health Sciences Library provides a web listing of international donation programs that assist international and U.S. populations in need. These programs accept books, journals, and media.

Appraisals, Income Tax Information

The appraisal of a gift-in-kind to the UB Libraries for income tax or other purposes is the responsibility of the donor. It is the donor who benefits from a tax deduction or other use of an appraisal. By law, the UB Libraries cannot formally ap praise gifts or participate in an appraisal. The Libraries can provide assistance with information on professional appraisers who could be consulted by a donor. Contact the the Director of Development for information related to appraisers. The UB Libraries provide a web resource for searching, pricing, and investigation of out of print publication s.

Internal Revenue Service regulations governing charitable contributions of non-cash gifts are complex. We encourage donors to consult professional tax advisors before making a major gift-in-kind.

IRS Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property, provides detailed information for donors of non-cash gifts.

Donors who wish to present a gift-in-kind valued at $5,001 or more (specific items or collections) must obtain an independent appraisal and notify the UB Libraries of this appraisal prior to delivery of the gift-in-kind. It is necessary for the UB Foundation to substantiate the appraised value of the gift on IRS Form 8283 (PDF). See Instructions for details.

Acknowledgement

The UB Libraries provides written acknowledgement of all gifts accepted. Except for major gifts-in-kind, acknowledgment is generally provided in a letter that documents the number and type of volumes or items donated. It does not include a list ing of the volumes/items. Value cannot be indicated or assessed by the Libraries. Acknowledgement letters are generally prepared by the Collections Officer, director or designee of the library unit accepting the gift. Major gifts-in-kind are also ackn owledged in accordance with Donor Recognition categories and programs of the University at Buffalo.

Where to Deliver Gifts

Smaller gifts of 50 volumes/items or less can be delivered to a Collections office in a library unit of the UB Libraries, or to Central Technical Services in Lockwood Memorial Library. Please contact the UB Libraries prior to the delivery of gifts-in-kind. We encourage donors to submit online a Gift Proposal and the Libraries will contact you regarding delivery of gifts-in-kind (of any size). Or, you may con tact the Collections Officer in the appropriate Libraries' unit.

Large gifts must be arranged in advance with the UB Libraries. Please submit online a Gift Proposal, or contact the Collections Officer or director of the appropriate library unit. Most large gifts can be delivered to the loading dock in Lockwood Memorial Library or to the load ing entrances of the Health Sciences Library or Law Library.

Thank you for your support of the UB Libraries

Gifts to our Libraries benefit the 20,000+ people who visit in person or via our website each day!
The University Libraries conform to the Case Management and Reporting Standards (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) regarding definitions, procedures and reporting of gifts-in-kind.