MTSU Library Gift Policy

September 11, 1997
     The MTSU Library welcomes gifts of appropriate materials or funds for the purchase of materials, recognizing that gifts may provide valuable additions to the library collection. Donated materials are expected to meet the same standards of quality and relevance to the collection as new titles. They should support the curriculum and the mission of the library as well as meet the collection development guidelines and policies, in regard to physical condition, format, language, etc. Donated works by faculty and/or alumni authors are always welcome and will be added to the collection, unless these works are inappropriate for an academic library. Final decisions on the retention and disposition of gifts are the responsibility of librarians in Collection Management and the Dean of the Library.

     The library reserves the right to make decisions about the disposition or location of gifts of materials or funds. The library also reserves the right to dispose of any gift materials that do not meet the library's collection needs and policy guidelines. Materials made available to the library are not accepted as gifts unless they become part of the collection. Materials which are not added to the collection are not considered University property and therefore are not subject to University surplus policies. Gifts not retained by the library may be given to academic departments, other libraries, state agencies, or sold at book sales, or discarded.

     The library does not appraise or attach monetary value to any gift title or collection, based on the guidelines of the American Research Libraries' Statement on Appraisal of Gifts. An appraisal, if desired by the donor, should be done prior to the presentation of this material to the library. However, all donors will receive an acknowledgment letter from the library with the number of titles donated. If requested, a gift plate can be attached to the donated material.

     The MTSU Foundation handles monetary gifts for the library as well as funds for the purchase of memorial titles. Donations of rare or valuable materials should also be handled by this office.