Library Gifts Policy

Updated February 2024

Donation Process Overview

  1. Read the policy below
  2. Submit the Donation Inquiry Form (linked below)
  3. Library staff will contact you about your donation
  4. If your donation is approved, complete the Library Gift Donor Form (linked below) and bring the items to the Library

Book/Material Donations

Barber Library welcomes gifts of current hardcover books and paperbacks in excellent condition. Collection Development criteria used for the selection of new materials also apply to gifts. In both cases, the decision is based upon relevance to COCC’s academic mission, programs and curriculum. Please see our general collection development policy for more information.

Items not accepted as gifts include...

  • outdated textbooks
  • popular journals
  • books in poor condition (i.e., showing spine damage, mold/water damage, extensive marking, etc.)
  • outdated formats (i.e., CDs, VHS, etc.)
  • unnecessary duplicates
  • medical, scientific or technical materials more than two years old

Gifts of materials are accepted by Barber Library with the understanding that, once received, they are owned by the Library and COCC. Barber Library reserves the right to determine the retention, location, cataloging treatment and other considerations related to the use or disposition of gift books. 

Gifts that are not added to Barber Library’s collection may be sold as a part of a Library book sale, or distributed to other organizations. Profits from the Library book sale fund additional library acquisitions. Occasionally some gift items may be recycled.

Donation Inquiry Form

To donate books and other material to the library, please initiate the process by filling out the donation inquiry form.

Decisions will be made by Technical Services staff on a weekly basis during the academic year. Follow-up calls to potential donors will be made by our Technical Services specialist.

Approved Donations

Approval must be procured before gifts are accepted. Once gifts are approved, a library gift donor form will need to be completed. One copy of the form will go to the donor for their records. 

Barber Library cannot prepare itemized lists of donated items.

Gifts of books or materials may qualify for a tax deduction; however, neither Barber Library nor COCC can assign value to gift books or agree to a monetary value assigned by the donor or other party.

Monetary Donations

Donations of funds to support the Library’s general acquisitions or the purchase of materials in a particular subject field are also welcome via the COCC Foundation