J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library

Donating to the Library

The J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library welcomes the donations of books and other materials (referred to as gifts-in-kind) which increase the capability of the library’s collections to support the curriculum, research, teaching, and mission of Michigan Technological University. 

Please review the library’s donation policy before donating large gift collections to ensure the donated materials meet the library’s collection needs and do not cause unexpected out-of-budget costs; there are significant handling, cataloging, and processing costs associated with adding items to the Library's collections.

Gifts-in-kind to the library will be accepted with the understanding that they become the property of the library. The donor understands that retention, location, cataloging, digitization or other considerations related to the gift’s use or disposition are at the discretion of the library in accordance with University policies. Materials not added to the collection may be sold through the Friends of the Michigan Tech Library’s sales or disposed of ethically through charitable organizations. Proceeds from the sale of materials will be used to directly support the library and archives.

Monetary donations to the library are also gratefully accepted and can be made by contacting the library administration office at 906-468-2501 or library@mtu.edu for more information.

For information about donating artwork to the library, please see the library’s Art Donation Policy.

Donating to the Archives:

Giving to the University Archives and Historical Collections is welcomed. Call the archives office at: 906-487-2505 or email: copper@mtu.edu for more information. General guidelines for giving to the archives can be found in the Archives Collection Development Policy.

Gifts-in-kind the library gratefully accepts:

  • Items that support the curriculum, teaching, research, or programmatic needs of the University
  • Recently published academic books in good physical condition
  • Books by university faculty or alumni
  • Replacements for library materials in poor physical condition
  • Journals that are identified as able to fill gaps in the library’s holdings

Gifts-in-kind the library does not accept:

  • Superseded textbooks not being used in University courses
  • Journals, unless they fill gaps in the library’s holdings
  • Academic books that are outdated or have been superseded by newer editions
  • Popular magazines, for example, National Geographic
  • Audio-visual materials, including video games
  • Mass market paperbacks

The Friends:

The Friends of the Michigan Tech Library also accept donated material.  Information about donating to the Friends can be viewed here: https://lib.sites.mtu.edu/friends/

Dropping Off Donations:

Small donations may be brought to the library and left with library employees at the Circulation desk, or delivered to the Archives. 

When possible, please coordinate larger donations (more than one box) ahead of time with the Collections Strategist Librarian (906-487-2484, library@mtu.edu) or the University Archivist (906-487-2505, copper@mtu.edu) as appropriate. Providing a list of materials, condition, and subject matter before donation is preferred but not required.

Library Contacts:

For more information or questions about the donation process, please contact the Collections Strategist Librarian (906-487-2484, library@mtu.edu) regarding donations to the library’s collections or the University Archivist (906-487-2505, copper@mtu.edu) regarding donations to the Archives.

Tax Questions:

Gifts-in-kind to the Van Pelt and Opie Library are tax deductible.  The library, however, cannot appraise gifts for income tax purposes.  Donors should seek out qualified appraisers, their attorneys or tax advisors, and the latest IRS regulations prior to the time of donation.

Other Options for Donations:

If our donation policy does not meet your needs the following sources may be able to provide assistance (By listing the following sources, The Van Pelt and Opie Library does not imply endorsement):

  • Your Old Books: https://rbms.info/yob/ - Rare Books and Manuscripts Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries. “This guide addresses some frequently asked questions about rare and older books and their values.”
  • ABAA - The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America: https://www.abaa.org/bookstores. The ABAA’s website provides a searching tool to find members by name, state, regional, and specialty.
  • Additional sources for donating material (check with the company’s website for their donation policy)