Book Donation Frequently Asked Questions
Are book donations accepted by the VCU Libraries?
VCU Libraries accepts donations of books and other library materials throughout the academic year. Materials donated to VCU Libraries have long been an important component of our Collection Management program. Gifts often provide needed duplicates of highly used titles or supplement deficient retrospective holdings. Donated materials not appropriate for the collection are placed in the annual Friends of the Library book sale. The annual book sale helps to generate funds which support the VCU Libraries' collections, programs and events.
Will my donated materials be added to the VCU Libraries' collection?
Materials donated to the VCU Libraries are reviewed by Collection Management Librarians for relevance to subject areas important for VCU, material type, physical condition of the gift, and usefulness to the collection. To ensure maximum accessibility for patrons of the VCU Libraries, added donations will be cataloged and shelved in the same manner as the rest of our collection.
Donated materials not appropriate for the collection will be placed in the Friends of the Library annual book sale. The annual book sale helps to generate funds which support the VCU Libraries' collections, programs and events.
All materials donated to the VCU Libraries become the property of Virginia Commonwealth University and cannot be returned to the donor. The staff of the VCU Libraries cannot guarantee that donated items will become part of the permanent collection.
For more information on book donations or to learn more about the annual Friends of the Library book sale, please contact Antonia FD Vassar at (804) 827-1165 or Kimberly Separ at (804) 827-1163.
What type of materials are accepted by the VCU Libraries?
The VCU Libraries accepts the following types of material donations:
- Books (hardback or paperback, fiction or non-fiction)
- Compact discs
- DVD's
- Comic books & graphic novels
- Current scholarly journals
- Manuscript collections, papers and other materials appropriate for Special Collections and Archives
The VCU Libraries normally does not accept:
- Materials in poor condition that may be missing pages, have damaged binding, water damage or mold damage
- Textbooks
- VHS and cassette tapes
- Vinyl records
- Individual issues of popular magazines. Please contact Antonia FD Vassar or Kimberly Separ if you wish to donate bound periodicals, unusual or specialty magazines.
- Encyclopedia sets
- Computer software and manuals
VCU Libraries does consider accepting these types of materials in exceptional circumstances. Please contact Antonia FD Vassar or Kimberly Separ if you have valuable or important materials that are normally not accepted by the VCU Libraries.
How do I donate my books to the VCU Libraries?
You may drop-off your donations at the Administrative Office in James Branch Cabell Library, the Service Desk at Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, or the Community Health Education Center (CHEC), Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
All donations should be packed in sturdy bags with handles or in boxes no larger than 18" long x 12" wide x 10" high. Please do not over-pack your bags or boxes.
A completed book donation form is required for all donations. Please complete and sign the form prior to delivering your books to the VCU Libraries. The VCU Libraries Development Office will mail you a thank you letter following the receipt of your donation for your records.
If special accommodations are needed, please contact Antonia FD Vassar at (804) 827-1165 or Kimberly Separ at (804) 827-1163.