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Fresno State Library

Gifts of Materials Policy

Appropriate gifts enhance the collection and support the University’s commitment to excellence. The Fresno State Library welcomes such gifts when items support the teaching, research, and other collection needs of the University. This is most true when items are rare or unique.

Given the restrictions of limited space and available staff time, the Library is unable to accept all offered gift materials, and an occasional hiatus on the acceptance of gifts may be declared to handle backlogs of accumulated gifts.

CSU system-wide policy does not allow the library to appraise the value of donated materials. Donors wishing to claim a tax deduction requiring an appraisal must have an independent appraisal conducted prior to the donation; after a gift is accepted an appraisal is not possible.

IMPORTANT: The Fresno State Library will not accept unsolicited donations or impromptu drop-offs of materials.

With the exception of rare or unique materials, the Library generally cannot use:

  • Textbooks, unless they are currently assigned in a Fresno State course or written by a Fresno State faculty member.
  • Materials in poor condition (torn, marked up, mildewed, moldy, etc.)
  • Duplicate copies
  • Obsolete media formats
  • Mass market paperbacks (Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror; or Mystery/Detective)
  • Outdated editions
  • Superseded legal, medical, and other professional books
  • Offprints, photocopies, reproductions of sound/video recordings, etc.
  • Printouts of “born-digital” resources
  • Specialized collections on subjects not taught at Fresno State
  • Most foreign language publications in languages not included in the curriculum
  • Most periodicals (magazines, professional journals, etc.)
    [Exceptions: Issues which fill gaps in our collections of print journals.]

Offering Your Collection

How to offer your collection to the Library:

  1. Send: A description of your proposed donations to FresnoStateLibrarian@calstate.libanswers.com
  2. Review: Your gift proposal will be reviewed to determine which items meet the Library’s needs. We will contact you for more information if needed.
  3. Turnaround time: We will get back to you, normally within 2 weeks, to let you know which items the Library can accept and how to deliver your donation.
  4. Inquiries concerning other kinds of donations, such as monetary contributions, endowment funding, bequests, and gifts of equipment are to be directed to Library Administration at the same email address: librarygifts@mail.fresnostate.edu

In general, library staff cannot assist in packing or transporting donated materials.

Please also consider donating materials to other local venues such as the Friends of the Fresno County Public Library and local charities.

Thank you for your interest in giving to the Fresno State Library.