CSU Libraries > About Us > Policies > Giving to the library

Giving to the library

General Statement

Over the years, gifts have helped to enrich and expand the Schwob Library's collections. Therefore, the Library will continue to consider, seriously and with pleasure, all gifts of recorded information which meet the instructional and research needs of Columbus State University. In addition to donations of materials, the Schwob Library also appreciates monetary donations, including cash gifts for the purchase of library materials in memory or honor of an individual.

The Columbus State University Foundation receives all library donations and transfers ownership of donated materials to the Library. See "Conditions of Acceptance" below for details.

Criteria for Acceptance of Gifts

All gift offers receive careful consideration by the Library. Materials appropriate for acceptance are those which enhance the value of existing collections. Highly desirable materials include:

1. Recently published scholarly monographs
2. Materials related to the history of Columbus and the surrounding area, including:
   1. Manuscripts and records from Columbus citizens and businesses
   2. Printed materials (regardless of publication date) dealing with the area
   3. Columbus high school annuals
   4. Local church annuals and programs
   5. Diaries, scrapbooks, correspondence
   6. Recordings (all formats) of local musicians
   7. Local oral history interviews
   8. Home movies, videos, photographs, and postcards depicting Columbus or the surrounding area
3. Scores, CDs and books about music for the RiverCenter Music Library

Materials which fall outside the Library's collecting policy and, thus, cannot be accepted as gifts, include:

1. Vanity press books
2. Books already owned by the library
3. Textbooks
4. 33 1/3 LPs and 78 sound recordings
5. Materials in poor condition
6. Most journals/magazines

Gifts of journals (subscriptions or physical issues) must be carefully evaluated since there are processing costs, maintenance issues and other complications associated with accepting journals. To be considered for acceptance, the gift journal must enhance the value of the library's existing collections. Once that criterion is met, a gift journal must

• Be indexed in readily accessible indexes/databases
• Comprise a complete run for several volumes or years (in the case of physical issues)
• Have a subscription range of at least five years (in the case of gift subscriptions)

Patrons wishing to donate personal copies, issue by issue, of current individual subscriptions must be advised that this arrangement is not practical as it offers no recourse for issues not delivered.

Books and other materials with housing or shelving conditions cannot be accepted. Also, gift books cannot be accepted as separate collections. Access to gift materials added to the collection cannot be restricted to any particular group of patrons.

Conditions of Acceptance

All library gifts are made to the Columbus State University Foundation, and are accepted with the understanding that upon receipt the materials become the property of the Columbus State University Foundation. The Schwob Library is responsible for determining the retention, location, cataloging treatment, and other considerations relating to the use or disposition of such gift materials.

Gifts accepted by the Foundation may serve a variety of purposes. Some are added to the collections as first or replacement copies. Those not added to the Library's holdings may be offered to another library, sent to a state facility, donated to a worthy cause, sold or discarded.

The Columbus State University Foundation makes written acknowledgment of all gifts accepted. The letter of acknowledgment notes the number of volumes received but does not include a list of the items or an estimate of the value of the gift.

Appraisals and Income Tax Deductions

The appraisal or establishment of a gift's value for tax purposes is the responsibility of the donor. Neither the Library nor the Foundation can provide estimates of monetary value for any donation.

Donors of gifts with an estimated value between $500 and $5,000 will want to consult IRS publication 526, Charitable Contributions and/or publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property, both available from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Donors of gifts exceeding $5,000 in value should also consult these publications and should discuss tax considerations with an attorney or accountant. An appraisal is required to substantiate a tax deduction of more than $5,000 for a non-cash gift. Such an appraisal must be signed by the appraiser and Columbus State University's Vice President for University Advancement (Dr. Lon Marlowe, 565-3640).

Questions about library gifts should be directed to: