Portland State Library welcomes donations of books, periodicals, journals, and monetary gifts that will strengthen collections and services for students, faculty, and researchers.

Giving to Portland State Library

Portland State Library actively seeks gifts to provide additional materials and services that might not otherwise be available to students and faculty. Go to Giving to Portland State Library to view the available Library funds and use our online form to customize your gift, make a pledge, or add to a current endowment.

Donating Materials to the Library

Gifts of material have helped the Portland State University Library build its valuable collection. Your support carries on that tradition of giving and ensures that the Library will continue to foster quality scholarship and lifelong learning. We recommend that each donor prepare a detailed title list to include with the donation.

The Portland State Library welcomes gifts of material that support the instructional and research programs of the University. Particularly useful are:

• Hardcover books and high-quality paperbacks with scientific, scholarly, literary, or artistic merit that support the University's curriculum.

We usually do not accept the following materials:

• Textbooks
• Popular magazines
• Mass-market publications
• Self-published books
• Material in poor condition
• Superseded formats (e.g., LPs, 8-track tapes)
• Material that might cause the Library to be liable for copyright infringement (i.e., illegally copied audio and video recordings).

Making a Donation

Gifts of material are diverse in source and come to the Library either unsolicited or, at times, after prolonged negotiations. In most cases, we'd like to discuss your donation with you, before you deliver the material to the Library. If your donation contains manuscripts, documents, or is otherwise significant due to its size, subject matter, or archival/historical value, please contact our Head of Special Collections/University Archivist, Cris Paschild, at paschild@pdx.edu or 503-725-9883.

Other donations may be dropped off at the Circulation Desk on the first floor of the Branford P. Millar Library. In most cases, it is the responsibility of the donor to arrange for delivery of books and other material to the Library. Please ensure that all books and other items are in boxes or sturdy bags with your name and phone number attached. We require a Gift-In-Kind Form be completed and submitted with each donation. Contact our Gifts Coordinator, Josh Hancock, at hancock@pdx.edu or 503-725-4579, and make arrangements for drop off or assistance.

Acceptance of Gifts

Gifts of material are considered to be unrestricted donations and accepted with the understanding that they are to be used in the best interest of the Library. Upon receipt, gifts become the property of the Library. The Library holds the right to determine retention, location, circulation, cataloging treatment, and final disposition of the gift. Donations not selected for addition to our collection may be donated to other institutions, sold, recycled, or discarded. We regret that we are not able to notify donors of the final disposition of their gifts or return items not added to our collection.

Tax Information

Portland State Library encourages donors to discuss prospective donations and appraisals with their attorneys or tax specialists prior to making their donations. Donors also are encouraged to consult the Web site of the Internal Revenue Service (http://www.irs.gov), for more information.

Appraisals

An appraisal for tax purposes is the responsibility of the donor. The Library is not allowed to provide appraisals for gifts we will be receiving. For this reason, the donor is responsible for obtaining an appraisal and paying for the costs of the appraisal. Appraisals of gifts should be made before the materials are delivered to the Millar Library. For specific questions regarding charitable donations, donors should consult the IRS or a tax expert.

Acknowledgement of Gifts

Donations should be accompanied by a completed and signed Gift-in-Kind Contribution Form. The Library will send a letter acknowledging receipt of the gift shortly after the donation has been received. Typically, our acknowledgement includes the date of receipt and a brief description of the gift. The letter will not state the value claimed by you. We recommend that each donor prepare a detailed title list to include with the donation.

For More Information

If you have questions or need additional information about making a gift-in-kind donation, please contact Josh Hancock, Gifts Supervisor, 503-725-4579, hancock@pdx.edu. For information about donating funds, please contact the Library Development Director, 503-725-4509, libdev@pdx.edu