Donating Gifts to the University Libraries

Thank you for thinking of the Seton Hall University Libraries for your donation. Gifts of books, journals, and other materials often contribute significantly toward strengthening the collections at the University Libraries. These gifts-in-kind represent a valuable addition that might otherwise be impossible to obtain through regular or special library funding. As a donor of library materials, you are one of our most valued supporters of this institution. The University Libraries do not accept gifts of textbooks, encyclopedias, Readers’ Digest Condensed Books, National Geographic Magazine and similar items.

Types of Items Accepted

In general, we are happy to receive the following types of material:

• Artifacts (e.g., buttons, coins, medals, pennants, photographs, posters)
• Bibles, including family Bibles
• Books, including children’s books, paperbacks
• Diaries, parish histories
• Dissertations
• Journals
• Manuscripts, Incunabula, scrolls
• Materials related to Seton Hall University, or the Archdiocese of Newark, or Catholism in New Jersey
• Paintings, sketches
• Rare books 

Conditions of Acceptance

• Upon acceptance, a gift becomes the property of Seton Hall University Libraries.

• The Library does not have any means to pick up books or other gift material. It is the donor’s responsibility to bring or ship the donations to the library.

• The donor should check Library’s schedule for hours by calling or viewing the University Library’s homepage before bringing any donations to the library.

• Materials should be in good condition. Collections, which have mold or mildew, are of no use to the library as they can damage the rest of the collection and may be harmful to an individual’s health.

• The library reserves the right to determine if the donated item(s) will be added to the collection, where the item(s) will be located within the collection, and how the item(s) will be made accessible.

• The University Libraries acknowledges all gifts with a letter that identifies the quantity and type of item(s) donated. If the Donor provides an inventory listing, we will acknowledge it. However, the University Library is not able to create or provide an inventory listing of the donation.

• Monetary gifts are welcome and are referred to the Dean of Libraries’ Office.

• Federal tax regulations prohibit the University Libraries from providing an appraisal or estimates of value of a gift. Obtaining an appraisal or valuation statement is the donor’s responsibility. 
  

When and Where to Deliver Donations

Donations are accepted Monday through Friday, during regular business hours, 8.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. Please contact University Library Gifts staff at 973-275-2784 before bringing gifts. After hours, donations can be delivered to the Circulation Desk, 973-761-9435. When delivering a gift, please complete a Gift Receipt Form at time of delivery. Large donations can be delivered at the loading dock if arrangements have been made in advance.

Bookplates

A donor is invited to indicate on the Gift Form if a bookplate is requested and provide the exact wording that is requested.

Questions

All questions regarding the donation of books or other material should be directed to the Gifts Librarian. The telephone number is 973-761-9438. Letters can be directed as follows:

Gifts Librarian
Seton Hall University Libraries
Collection Development Services
400 South Orange Avenue
South Orange, NJ 07079