Senate House Library: Our Gifts Policy

The Senate House Library in the University of London was founded in 1871 when two large collections were donated to the Library by Lord Overstone and George Grote. Since that date the Library has benefited from the donation of many substantial collections, such as the Goldsmiths' Library of Economic Literature given by Herbert Foxwell, and others too numerous to mention here (see Special Collections).

The generosity of the Friends of the Senate House Library and many benefactors have continued to enrich and strengthen our research collections. We encourage and welcome the presentation of book gifts, artefacts and collections in all media. If you are considering making a gift to the Library the following guidance will be helpful to you:

• Potential donors should contact the Library in the first instance by email, fax letter or telephone to the Head of Bibliographic Services describing the gift they wish to make and to seek further guidance on the basis on which the Library accepts a gift. Please do not send the gift unsolicited: we may not be able to accept it.

• Potential donors of manuscripts, early printed books or other special materials should contact the Head of Special Collections describing the gift they wish to make and to seek further guidance on the basis on which the Library can accept a gift. Please do not send the gift unsolicited: we may not be able to accept it.

• The criteria which the Library will use to evaluate a potential gift include:

a) it falls within the Library's collection development policies

b) it is of particular academic value and will add significantly to the research strength of the collections

c) it falls within the scope of new and emerging collection priorities

d) the content draws upon the collections

e) the condition of the material falls within acceptable conservation standards

• The Library welcomes the donation of books written by past and present members of the Library provided the gift meets the criteria above.

• The Library welcomes the donation of large collections which meet the criteria above and on such terms agreed with the Director of Library Services; large collections are normally accepted on the understanding that it may not be possible in all cases to house each entire collection in one location in the Library.

• We will respond to all potential donors who contact the Library to confirm whether their gift can be accepted.

• Normally the Library will not accept gifts that duplicate existing stock unless the Library's copy(ies) are in poor condition.
  

• Gifts are accepted at the discretion of the Director of Library Services, without obligation to the donor and on the understanding that once the Library receives the material it becomes the property of and under the management of the Senate House Library.
  

• Donated material will normally be subject to the same de-selection criteria as any other Library materials.
  

• Please note that the Library regrets it is unable to consider unsolicited materials under the procedures given above, reserves the right to dispose of such materials as the Director of Library Services deems appropriate, and cannot guarantee an acknowledgement of receipt.

If you would like to make a financial donation to the Senate House Library or act as a sponsor of the Library you are invited to contact the Director of Library Services direct.

David Pearson
Director of Library Services, University of London Research Library Services

Date: August 2008