Donating Gifts to NDSU Libraries

Criteria for Accepting Gifts 
You may be surprised to know that librarians use the same selection criteria for gifts as for purchased library materials.  These criteria were designed to build a collection that supports the University's curriculum and research needs.  Gifts that do not meet the collection criteria of NDSU Libraries include damaged, dated, or superseded materials; old textbooks; duplicates of books or periodicals that the library already owns (such as National Geographic, Good Housekeeping, and Science); and materials in subject areas that do not support either teaching or research in NDSU disciplinary areas (e.g., internal medicine or pastoral theology). 

Donations to Circulating or Reference Collections 
Please do not deliver unsolicited books or periodicals to the Libraries.  Instead, contact the Libraries (701-231-8352) or the appropriate subject librarian to discuss the gift.  A librarian will arrange a mutually convenient time to receive the materials and also discuss acknowledgement considerations.  Please note that librarians cannot appraise the value of your donation.  Should you need to establish a fiscal value of the gift for tax or other purposes, you will need to obtain an appraisal from a private source. Also, the Libraries will not accept gifts of materials subject to conditions regarding their disposition, location, or use. Once accepted, gifts become the property of the Libraries and may not be reclaimed by the donor. Items not added to the collection are generally sold, and the proceeds are used to purchase additional needed materials.
 
Adopt-A-Journal Campaign 
NDSU Libraries also seeks friends for the new Adopt-A-Journal campaign. The campaign helps fund subscriptions to magazines and scholarly journals.  Since price increases have threatened the continuation of certain subscriptions in the libraries, the campaign helps the Libraries maintain the quality of its journal collections.  Individuals, groups, and organizations may adopt a subscription to a journal.  Adoption of a selected journal title enables the Libraries to continue to offer that title to NDSU students, faculty, staff and the general public.  Sponsors are identified on bookplates attached to each bound volume of their adopted journal titles.  Anyone interested in adopting a journal or making a donation toward a subscription may call Thomas A. Bremer (701) 231-8878 for more information.

Donations to Special Collections
Because of their unique nature, gifts considered by the Institute for Regional Studies, the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection, and University Archives are governed by separate, more inclusive policies.  Welcome gifts include diaries, manuscripts (including private letters), family papers, organization records, North Dakota publications, and photographs.  To donate to the Institute for Regional Studies or the University Archives, contact John E. Bye (701-231-8877) to discuss the gift.  To donate to the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection, contact Michael M. Miller, (701-231-8416).

Monetary Gifts
Generous monetary gifts enable the Libraries to purchase materials requested by University faculty and supplement the Libraries' institutional budget.  Likewise, they enable the Libraries to enrich Special Collections through the purchase of materials.  While major gifts are regularly sought by the University in all areas, please don't assume that a small monetary gift will go unappreciated or unused.  Combined with other gifts, your contribution will help to further the mission of the University Libraries. To make such a gift, make checks payable to NDSU Libraries.  Checks should be sent to James Council, Director of Libraries / North Dakota State University / University Station P.O. Box 5599/Fargo, ND 58105-5599.  If you are interested in a more substantial gift, for example, for the purpose of establishing a permanent endowment for the Libraries, contact Jason Wohlman, Associate Director, NDSU Development Foundation, Box 5144, Fargo, ND 58105-5144.