Donations and gifts

Introduction

The Library accepts donations of books, music scores, sound recordings, runs of journals, ephemera and other printed or otherwise published material that would be of use to Monash students, academic staff and researchers. Given the breadth of academic study at Monash, the library is interested in material on most subjects. The collection typically already contains most mainstream academic works and the constraints of space mean that extra copies cannot be accepted other than in cases of high demand. With the exception of current editions, the library is not generally interested in collecting textbooks.

Therefore the library is usually more interested in marginal than mainstream material. Pamphlets and other ephemera can be extremely hard to acquire except by donation, and yet often they contain information not otherwise recorded. Even books that may not have been published with scholarly intent such as cookery books or guides to etiquette can be very useful to researchers.

The Library is less likely to have material published before 1961, that is, before the University was founded. Scholarly works in all disciplines will also be considered for addition to the collection.

Monash University Library is particularly interested in:

• Australian, English and American literature - particularly 18th and 19th century English literature and all Australian literature.
• Australian popular culture, including magazines, pamphlets, comics, ephemera, crime and science fiction novels.
• Medical and scientific history.
• Material on Southeast, East and South Asia, both vernacular and European language material.
• Jewish material, including Yiddish and Hebrew language and music.
• Music (sheet music, performing editions and scores) and sound recordings (vinyl and compact disc) of special interest music from Australia and Southeast Asia.
• Unpublished material if it adds to an existing area of strength or supports teaching and research.

Monash University Library is not generally interested in:

• Superseded editions of textbooks
• Damaged items, or items in otherwise poor physical condition

Conditions of acceptance

Donations are reviewed in accordance with the collection development policy, and offers may not be accepted or unwanted items may not be retained. 

A gift may not be accepted if there are limitations placed by the donor on its location or use. 

Disposal of unwanted donations

The Library reserves the right to dispose of unwanted donations – disposal can include transfer to a kindred institution per the Monash University Assets Policy & Procedures, or sale through the commercial book trade with the revenue raised going to purchasing new library materials. Donors are requested to complete a declaration form consenting to this.

Acknowledging donations

In general, the Library does not acknowledge individual donations in writing. The gift of a significant collection of material will be acknowledged, and a suitable method of recognition of the gift may be discussed with library staff.

Major donations may be acknowledged by placing a bookplate in the work/s, following prior discussion with library staff.

Tax deductibility of donations / Cultural Gifts Program

In order to encourage gifts of significance to libraries, art galleries and museums, the Commonwealth Government has established the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program under which eligible institutions, such as Monash University Library, may accept valuable donations. The program offers the donor a tax deduction for the market value of the donation.

Monash University Library welcomes inquiries about donating items under this program. If it is evident that the market value of the donation is very low, cultural gift donations may not be accepted. At the very least, the value must exceed the cost of the valuers' fees and the administrative costs incurred by the Library in arranging valuations and preparing the paperwork, usually around $1,000.

Financial donations

Financial donations may be made to the library to support the collection, and may be earmarked for particular subject areas. Financial donations over $2 are tax deductible and may be made online or by cheque made out to Monash University, and sent to the Library Finance Manager.

Naming rights

The Library will consider awarding naming rights to parts or all of its collections in return for large donations.

Who to contact?

Offers of donations should be directed to the Collection Management Librarian or the Rare Books Librarian.

If you wish to discuss naming rights please contact the University Librarian.

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