Department of Special Collections
Charles E. Young Research Library Department of Special Collections

Giving to Special Collections

The department's librarians welcome the opportunity to discuss the variety of contributions that can be made to develop collections. Gifts of materials have included manuscript collections and personal papers, book collections, photographs, postcards, posters, works of art, and other items. Donors have provided funds to support continued purchases in specific collecting areas as well as funds for processing and cataloging collections. Vital support has also come from groups, such as the Friends of the UCLA Library and Gold Shield, and from organizations, such as the Ahmanson Foundation, the J. Paul Getty Trust, and the Times Mirror Company.

Making a Gift of Funds

The department's excellence is a direct result of generous benefactions. Staff are always pleased to discuss giving opportunities with donors; contact the department by phone at 310.825.4988 or visit the Library Development office’s Web site.

Making a Gift of Materials

The UCLA Library accepts gifts of books, manuscripts, and other materials that enhance and enrich its existing collections and support the instructional and research programs of the university.

Donations will be reviewed by subject specialists in the appropriate field for possible addition to the collections. Gifts are accepted subject to the policies of the Regents of the University of California, with the understanding that the university becomes the owner of the material upon its receipt and reserves the right to determine retention, location, cataloging treatment, and other considerations relating to use or disposition. Gifts of manuscripts may involve additional considerations to be discussed between the university and the donor.

The Library may decline to accept certain gifts, including those which are not within the scope of its collections or that do not support the instructional and research programs of the university. Other gifts may not be accepted if they duplicate existing material in the Library's collections or if their condition would require extensive preservation or preparation before they could be added to the collection.

If an appraisal is required for income tax purposes, arrangements for and costs associated with the appraisal are the sole responsibility of the donor. As a matter of policy, the Library, as an interested party, does not appraise gifts intended for it. Donors are encouraged to discuss their donations and appraisals with their attorneys or tax advisors.

Gifts valued at $250 or more require a deed of gift, which transfers ownership of the material to the Regents of the University of California. Before an official acknowledgement can be made, the Library must receive the gifted items and the signed deed of gift.

Contact us with questions about giving books or manuscripts by phone at 310.825.4988 or by email to spec-coll@library.ucla.edu.

Deeds

Year-end Donations: An Important Note

Please note that, in order to complete paperwork on a gift so that the donor qualifies for a tax deduction, the Library must receive the gift and the signed and dated deed of gift by December 1.