Gifts of Materials

Information for Prospective Donors

The UCLA Library greatly appreciates offers of donations of materials that will enrich existing collections and support the instructional and research mission of the university. However, with the increasing availability of electronic resources as well as budgetary and space constraints, the UCLA Library has been obliged to adjust its gift acceptance policy accordingly.

The Library may decline to accept items that:

• are not within the scope of its collections.
• do not support the instructional and research programs of the university.
• duplicate existing holdings.
• would require extensive conservation.
• entail donor restrictions the Library cannot honor.

Gifts are accepted subject to the policies of the Regents of the University of California with the understanding that the university reserves the right to determine retention and disposition. Upon acceptance, gifts become the exclusive property of the university. Donations of manuscripts may involve additional considerations to be discussed between the university and the donor.

Gifts valued at $250 or more require a deed of gift and statement of value, which transfers ownership of the material to the Regents of the University of California. The deed and statement of value must be signed, dated, and returned to the Library before an official acknowledgement can be made. 

In addition, donations valued at more than $5,000 require a formal appraisal*, the arrangements and costs of which are the sole responsibility of the donor. The Library may not legally appraise potential donations.

* Per IRS Form 8283 instructions for gifts of tangible personal property, appraisals must be made not earlier than 60 days before the date of contribution.

Who to contact: 

Donors are required to contact the Library’s Gifts Section to discuss potential gifts before sending or dropping off any donation. Donors are also welcome to contact appropriate collection development or subject librarians to discuss their potential gift offers.

If there are more than 50 items, donors are required to provide a list of gift materials being offered before acceptance.

For general questions and inquiry, please email the UCLA Library Gifts Section, or call us: 310-794-4019