Grinnell College Libraries Gift Policy
Since their founding, the Grinnell College Libraries have benefited from gifts of books and other materials. We welcome donations that fall within the scope of our collections and that support the college's curriculum and research needs. We are happy to accept materials that are scholarly or rare that will benefit today's students and the students of tomorrow.
Gifts of Money
Funds for library purposes are always welcome. Information on making a designated gift to the Grinnell College Libraries may be obtained from the Librarian of the College or Grinnell College's office of Development and Alumni Relations.
Gifts of Materials
Grinnell College Libraries accept gifts of books and other library materials with the understanding that, upon receipt, Grinnell College becomes the owner of the materials. The collection development librarian, with advice from the Librarian of the College, will select materials for inclusion into the libraries' collections based on their present and future value to our students, faculty, and staff, and on their condition. We reserve the right to handle materials that are duplicates, or otherwise unsuited for the collection, as we feel will best serve Grinnell College. This may be through donation to another institution, sale, trade, or recycling. The libraries will normally not accept restricted donations. No library collects everything, and every gift requires evaluation for its suitability to the collection and its condition before a decision is made to catalog, process, and shelve it. For this reason, we carefully evaluate all potential gifts in order to use the libraries' resources wisely. Large collections that are not suited for the Grinnell College Libraries will be regretfully declined. We may be able to assist the would-be donor in finding more appropriate locations for his or her materials.
Appraisals and Tax Information
Donors are required by the Internal Revenue Service to obtain their own evaluations. As an interested party, the Grinnell College Libraries are not allowed to provide appraisals. We may be able to suggest alternative avenues for determining value. The libraries will acknowledge all gifts by letter. Additional acknowledgement may be received from Grinnell College's office of College and Alumni Relations. Limitations of staff prevent us from preparing lists of gifts received.
Delivering Gifts of Materials
Small gifts, usually a boxful or less, may be delivered directly to the collection development librarian. Arrangements for the delivery of larger gifts should be made through the Librarian of the College.
