Donations

Monash University Library adds value to the University's research and education agenda by providing resources that are tailored to the University's needs. As a result, the Library reserves the right to accept donations only if they enhance its collection and enrich the University's teaching or research.

Materials such as textbooks, mainstream academic titles and other commonly-available works are not accepted.

The Library accepts donations of suitable rare and obscure books and other items in a range of materials such as music scores, sound recordings, journal runs, ephemera and pamphlets. The Library has particular interest in the following:

• Australian, English and American literature, particularly from the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Australian popular culture including magazines, pamphlets, comics, ephemera, crime and science fiction novels.
• Medical and scientific history.
• Material on Southeast, East and South Asia in both vernacular and European languages.
• Special interest music from Australia and Southeast Asia (sheet music, performing editions, scores, vinyl and compact disc sound recordings).
• Jewish material, including Yiddish and Hebrew language and music.

Significant collections of suitable material are welcome and the Library is happy to discuss appropriate recognition of such donations.

Donated material not needed by the Library is disposed of in a range of ways including transfer to another institution, donation to charity or recycling. Donors bringing materials to the Library are asked to sign a disclaimer form acknowledging this.

Cultural Gifts Program
To encourage donations 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. The Library welcomes inquiries about this program, however it should be noted that the value of any potential donation must exceed the Library’s administrative costs.

Financial gifts
Financial gifts for the Library collection are welcome. They can be of a general nature or directed to specific subject areas. Gifts over $2 are tax deductible and may be made online or by cheque made out to Monash University Library.

Who to contact?
Please advise the Collection Management Librarian or the Rare Books Librarian of any potential donations before sending items to the Library.