Library Building FAU Libraries
Gifts/Donations Policy

Gifts in kind can enrich the quality and range of the University Libraries' collections. Florida Atlantic University Libraries welcome and solicit such gifts when items support the teaching, research, and other collection needs of the University. Such materials are useful, enduring additions to its resources. These include books, manuscripts, sound recordings, and other objects.

While the Libraries value gifts in kind, there is a cost associated with the acceptance and processing of these materials. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Libraries to be judicious when accepting and retaining gifted materials.

Ownership and Disposition of Gift Materials

Gifts to which the donor has attached conditions, such as those concerning retention, housing, or classification, will not be accepted for inclusion in the Libraries' collections. Upon receipt and acceptance of the donation, the FAU Libraries are considered owners of the materials and are solely responsible for determining the retention, location, cataloging treatment, and other considerations relating to the use or disposition of gift materials. Accordingly, the Libraries are under no obligation to discuss retention decisions with the donor or other parties.

In many cases, collection managers will not add materials to the holdings for a variety of reasons, which may include, but are not limited to: duplication of existing titles, poor physical condition of the gift, or materials that do not fall under the collection scope of the library (see the Library Collection Development Policy http://www.library.fau.edu/policies/cd_fau.htm) . Gifts not selected for the library may be sold or recycled for the benefit of the library.

Items not Sought by the FAU Libraries

The Libraries ask that you exclude the following materials from your donation:

How to Donate

In most cases, it is the responsibility of the donor to arrange for delivery of books and other material to the FAU Libraries. Please contact one of the gift coordinators listed below to discuss the acceptance of your donation and delivery details.

Boca Raton Campus

Maggie von Grote

mvongrot@fau.edu

(561) 297-0349

Jupiter Campus

Ethan Allen

eallen@fau.edu

(561) 799-8030

Harbor Branch Campus

Pam Alderman

palderm1@fau.edu

(772) 242-2486

Tax Considerations

For IRS reporting purposes, it is important to note that it is the responsibility of the donor to keep accurate records describing the individual items donated and the value attached to each item. The Libraries do not supply itemized lists of donations. Donors are encouraged to consult legal, accounting, or other professional advisors about the current IRS regulations governing non-cash charitable contributions. IRS Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property (2007) http://www.irs.gov/publications , may be informative in determining whether to claim a tax deduction.

  1. In cases where the value of the charitable deduction does not exceed $5,000, the donor is not required to obtain a qualified appraisal, but is still required to submit IRS Form 8283.
     

  2. A gift valued at more than $5,000 must be appraised by a qualified appraiser as defined by the IRS (which excludes appraisal by the donee-Florida Atlantic Libraries) and the donor's tax return must include a copy of the official signed appraisal attached to IRS Form 8283, Non Cash Charitable Contributions.
     

  3. The Libraries can recommend potential appraisers but the Libraries, by law, cannot pay for the appraisal.  Appraisals should be done before a gift is transferred, but must be done within 30 days before or after.

Acknowledgement

The Libraries will acknowledge all gifts or donations from identified donors in the form of a letter, noting the total number of donated items. The libraries will review requests on a case by case basis for bookplating materials which will be added to the collection.

 

Special Collections

The FAU Libraries house special and archival collections with specific gift policies and criteria. For potential donations to these areas, please refer to the following policies:

Donation of recordings to the Judaic, Jazz or 78 rpm collections in the Recorded Sound Archives, http://faujsa.fau.edu/jsa/send_records.php or contact SoundArchives@fau.edu (561-297-0080).

Special Collections, http://www.library.fau.edu/depts/cd/spcpol.htm.

 

Referenced Library Gift Policies

Bowling Green State University Libraries, University Libraries Gift Policy. Retrieved, 8/18/09 from http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/assistance/page40243.html

SDSU Library, SDSU Library Gifts Policy. Retrieved 8/18/09, from http://infodome.sdsu.edu/about/giftpol.shtml

Wellesley College Library, Gifts Policy. Retrieved, 8/18/09 from http://www.wellesley.edu/Library/pol-gift.html

Click here for the PDF of this document.


Questions regarding public service policies should be directed to Dawn Smith, Assistant Dean, Public Services.


Return to Public Services Policy Manual Home Page

Return to Collection Development Home Page


FAU Home Page | FAU Libraries Home Page | FAU Libraries Electronic Collection | FAU Libraries Catalog
FAU Libraries Web Site Design Team
This page is maintained by: FAU Libraries Web Manager
Last updated 03 January 2013
© Florida Atlantic University All rights reserved