Support your Library

Help us to develop the Library

You can contribute to the development of the Library collections and services. Please help us to help you by:

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Gifts

We welcome offers of gifts to help us develop our collections.

What type of gift is the Library interested in?

We collect material to support the current teaching, learning and research activities of the University. Examples of the type of material we are interested in include:

  • Primary research material in the humanities, social sciences and sciences
  • Additional copies or replacements for lost or worn-out copies, where these are needed
  • Material with local connections (University, York, Yorkshire)
  • Manuscript and archival material which will normally be housed in the Borthwick Institute for Archives

Are there gifts which aren't of interest to the Library?

We have limited space and funds so we need to ensure that additions to stock are of value to our members. Examples of the type of gift we are not interested in include:

  • Material where the cost associated with acquiring it and adding it to stock is greater than the value of the gift
  • Gifts in poor condition which we can't add to stock because they cannot be repaired or the cost of repair is too great
  • With the exception of current editions, the library is not generally interested in collecting textbooks

How do I make a gift?

If you have a small gift to make which fits the criteria above, you can:

  • Bring it to the JB Morrell Library and give it to staff at the Reception desk
  • Post it to the Resource Acquisitions Librarian at the address at the bottom of this page

If you are offering a back run or current supply of a journal, please contact the Resource Acquisition Librarian to discuss whether we need the volumes you have.

If you have a larger or special collection which you would like to donate, please contact the Head of Collection Management to discuss your offer.

Content Acquisition Librarian: Sarah Thompson

Head of Assistant Director of Information (Content): Chris Ellwood

How are gifts acknowledged?

We acknowledge all gifts. A bookplate recording the donor's name is put in each book and the provenance of significant collections is also recorded on the Library Catalogue.

What happens to unwanted gifts?

Gifts which we don't want to keep are sold (and the proceeds used for further purchases), given away to charity shops or, if necessary, disposed of, unless a different course of action has been agreed with the donor, for example to return unwanted gifts.

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Donations

If you are interested in making a financial donation or bequest to the Library, please use the contact details on the following pages:

University Development and Alumni Relations Office

Director of Information and University Librarian: Stephen Town

Deputy Director (Information Services): Liz Waller

Assistant Director of Information and Head of Content: Christine Ellwood