Donating Books
The University Library accepts a very limited number of book donations. Due to space, staffing, and collection priorities, most donated materials cannot be added to the collection. Please review the information below carefully before offering materials.
What We Can Consider Accepting
We accept donated books that support:
- The current Cal State LA curriculum
- The Collections Development Policy
- Campus teaching and research needs
Examples include:
- Recently published academic books
- Extra copies of high-demand titles
- Books used in courses or placed on reserve
- Faculty and alumni publications
Because review capacity is limited, acceptance is not guaranteed.
Donating Other Types of Materials
- Monetary gifts, endowments, art, furniture, equipment; Jonathan De Leon, Major Gift Officer
- Archival or Special Collections Items; Azalea Camacho, Head of Special Collections and Archives
- Board games and seeds; Tiffanie Ford-Baxter, Science Librarian
What We Cannot Accept
To help us use our resources wisely, we are unable to accept the following:
- Textbooks that are no longer in use
- Self-help or do-it-yourself books
- Mass-market paperbacks
- Duplicate copies or older editions already in our collection (unless in excellent condition or high demand)
- Damaged or contaminated items (mold, pests, smoke, water damage, etc.)
- Spiral-bound, loose-leaf, binder materials, or pamphlets
- Outdated legal, medical, or reference materials
- Media in formats we no longer collect (audio cassettes, VHS, 8mm/16mm film, LPs, etc.)
- Popular magazines or short-run journal issues
- Books in languages not taught at Cal State LA
How to Donate
Step 1: Prepare Your Items for Review
Before any donation is accepted, please create:
- A list of items, in a spreadsheet or Word document (titles and ISBNs)
- A few sample photos showing covers or spines
This information helps us determine whether your materials fit our collection needs.
Step 2: Submit for Approval
All donations require prior approval before drop-off. Please contact Holly Yu, Head of Collections, Discovery, and Content Management, to arrange the review.
Step 3: Wait for Confirmation
The Library will determine if your items fit our collection needs.
Step 4: Deliver Approved Items
Fewer Than 20 Items:
- May be dropped off at the Service Desk on the 1st floor of Library North.
More than 20 items:
- Require a scheduled drop-off time. Items delivered without prior review may be declined.
The Library does not offer pick-up services.
Step 5: After Delivery
The Library will catalog donated items but cannot provide a timeline for processing or adding materials to the collection.
What Happens to Donated Materials
All donated items become the property of Cal State LA upon receipt.
The University Library may:
- Add items to our collection
- Share them with other libraries
- Sell them to support new purchases
- Offer them for free
- Dispose of them
This ensures we make the best use of donated materials.
Request for Letter of Acknowledgement
If you would like an acknowledgement letter for your donation, please complete the Donation Acknowledgment Form.
The letter will confirm that we received your donation. It will not include a list of items or a dollar value. Appraising the value of a donation is the donor’s responsibility.
Thank you again for supporting the University Library. Your generosity strengthens the learning and research environment for the entire campus.