Charles E. Young Research Library
Department of Special Collections

Giving to Special Collections

The Department's librarians welcome the opportunity to discuss the variety of contributions that can be made to develop collections. Gifts of materials have included manuscript collections and personal papers, book collections, photographs, postcards, posters, works of art, and other items. Our donors have provided funds to support continued purchases in specific collecting areas, as well as funds for processing and cataloging collections. Vital support has also come from groups, such as the Friends of the UCLA Library and Gold Shield, and from organizations, such as the Ahmanson Foundation, the J. Paul Getty Trust, and the Times Mirror Company.

Making a gift of funds

The excellence of the Department of Special Collections is a direct result of generous benefactions. We are always pleased to discuss giving opportunities with you. Please phone the Department at 310.825.2422 and visit the Library Development office’s Web site.

Making a gift of library materials

The UCLA Library accepts gifts of books, manuscripts and other library materials that enhance and enrich the Library's existing collections and support the instructional and research programs of the University.

Donations will be reviewed by subject specialists in the appropriate field for addition to the collections. Gifts are accepted subject to the policies of the Regents of the University of California, with the understanding that the University becomes the owner of the material upon its receipt and reserves the right to determine retention, location, cataloging treatment, and other considerations relating to use or disposition. Gifts of manuscripts may involve additional considerations to be discussed between the University and the donor.

The Library may decline to accept certain gifts, including those which are not within the scope of its collections, or that do not support the instructional and research programs of the University. Other gifts may not be accepted if they duplicate existing material in the Library's collections, or if their condition would require extensive preservation or preparation before they could be added to the collection.

If an appraisal is required for income tax purposes, arrangements for and costs associated with the appraisal are the sole responsibility of the donor. As a matter of policy, the Library, as an interested party, does not appraise gifts intended for it. Donors are encouraged to discuss their donations and appraisals with their attorneys or tax advisors.

Gifts valued at $250.00 or more require a Deed of Gift, which transfers ownership of the material to the Regents of the University of California. Before an official acknowledgement can be made, the Library must have received the gifted items and the signed Deed of Gift.

Questions about gifts of books may be directed to the Rare Books Librarian at 310.206.0568. For manuscript materials, please be in touch with the Manuscripts Librarian at 310.206.0521.

Year-end donations: an important note

Please note that, in order to complete paperwork on your gift so that you qualify for a tax deduction, the Library must receive your gift and the signed and dated Deed of Gift by December 1st.