In-Kind Gifts

The University Library welcomes gifts of books and other materials that extend and complement existing collections. Through the years, in-kind gifts have represented an important way for the Library to strengthen the collections and provide important resources to University of Michigan students, faculty, and visiting scholars.

Due to the high cost of storage and processing, the University Library is not able to accept all in-kind gift offers.  Materials that fall outside of the Library's collecting policy include: 

• Textbooks
• Popular trade paperbacks
• Popular magazines
• Scattered or single issues of periodicals
• Materials in poor condition
• Titles the Library already owns (unless in high use or an otherwise special edition)
• Outdated titles

Conditions of Acceptance

Gifts are accepted with the understanding that they become the property of the University of Michigan upon receipt and that the Library may make all necessary decisions as to their retention, location, cataloging treatment, and other considerations relating to their use and disposition. The Library's intention in accepting gifts is that they be added to the collection, if needed. Therefore, every effort is made to accept only items appropriate for addition to the Library collection. All gifts must be reviewed by an appropriate curator or subject specialist librarian prior to acceptance by the Library. The Library encourages donors to provide a list of materials including the title or description and condition of the items. Materials accepted but not added to the Library collections may be exchanged with other libraries throughout the world to obtain important materials otherwise unavailable, or sold, or disposed of through charitable organizations or other means.

Appraisals of the Gift-In-Kind

The appraisal of a gift-in-kind to the University Library for income tax or other purposes is the responsibility of the donor. By law, the Library may not formally appraise gifts or participate in an appraisal.

Instructions for donors seeking IRS tax deduction

If your contribution is valued at more than $500 and you wish to take a federal income tax deduction, the Internal Revenue Service requires you to complete IRS Form 8283.

If your contribution is valued at more than $5,000 and you wish to take a federal income tax deduction, the Internal Revenue Service requires a qualified appraisal. Consult IRS publication 561: “Determining the Value of Donated Property.” If you obtain a qualified appraisal, please include a copy of that appraisal with your gift.

Contacting the Library

If you are thinking of making an in-kind gift to the University of Michigan Library, please contact contact Harriet Teller in the Development Office at 734-615-4801 or via email: LibraryDevelopment@umich.edu.