Donating Books to the Lesley University Library

Other places to donate:

Jane Miller Webber, Director
7 Rodgers Road
Stoneham, MA 02180-3045
info@readingtree.org
p: 781.438.4051

More Than Words
Bookstore and Cafe
376 Moody Street
Waltham, MA 02453

What kinds of materials will the library consider?

• Books in good condition (no marginal writing, covers and binding intact, clean)
• Videos
• CDs
• Books on Tape
• Zines

What kinds of materials are not acceptable?

• Items in poor condition
• Journal issues
• Incomplete multi-part sets

How do I donate my materials?

We strongly recommend that you discuss your gift with the Collection Management Librarian before you bring it to the library. If you have three or fewer boxes of material that the library can consider, after you’ve spoken with library staff, you may bring your boxes to Sherrill Library or have them delivered to the Collection Management Librarian. The Library cannot arrange to pick up your materials.

If you have more than three boxes of material, library staff cannot process your gift without first evaluating it. An inventory of materials or a site visit by a librarian helps us know if we can accommodate your gift. Because our processing space and staff time is limited, this will also help us better schedule the time when you can deliver your donation.

What does the library do with my donated materials?

The library accepts donations with the understanding that the materials become the property of the Library. The Library may use, keep, or dispose of items at its discretion. Donated materials are considered for any location within the University Library.

We determine whether each item in a donated collection is new to the library or represents an unnecessary replacement. Individual Library Liaisons with expertise in and collection development responsibility for specific subject areas evaluate the items not represented in the collection. We may choose to add an item to our collection or pass it on to a used book vendor. Our preferred vendor is Better World Books.

Under federal tax regulations, the Library cannot give appraisals or estimates of value for donors. At your request, we can acknowledge your donation in a letter that documents the number of titles and general condition of the material.