Donations of materials that enhance the Library collection are welcome. Donated materials are evaluated based on the Library’s Collection Development Criteria. In general, a donated item will be added to the Library’s collection if it supports the research needs of our students and faculty and if the item’s content aligns with the Institute’s established curricular guidelines. Gift materials are reviewed for continued retention based on criteria such as subject, age, condition, language, format and whether they duplicate current holdings.
A detailed itemized List of the donation can be given without appraisal value of the items since the Library is not an appraisal servicer. In addition donors can optionally choose to have a bookplate attached to each item in recognition of the donor's contribution to the Library. Bookplates can be made in the name of the donor, in honor of someone, in memoriam or anonymously.
The Library may decline to accept any materials that are not appropriate for the collections. All donated items become the permanent property of Institute of Technology, and the Library assumes the responsibility of determining the retention, placement within the collection, cataloging treatment, and any other considerations relating to the use and disposition of the materials. Donations that are accepted but not added to the collections will be sold to support library collections, sent to a non-profit corporation that provides books to libraries at low cost or recycled with a recognized recycler.
The following categories of material are usually not accepted:
The generosity of Library friends and supporters plays a vital role in building the Institute of Technology Library's collections, programs and services. If you would like to contribute to the Library, you may direct your gift to a specific program, such as new technology, Special Collections, or a particular academic area of the collection. Or, you may prefer to give an unrestricted gift to be used where the needs are greatest.
Past monetary gifts have supported:
Want to help fellow IOT students-in-need get their school year off to a great start? Donate new supplies to the IOT Library Back-to-School Supply Drive located in the Library. Each year on a continual basis the IOT Library provides through funds raised from the Library Recycling Program, donated supplies and monetary contributions basic office and school supplies for the IOT students to complete their class projects. From 2019-2020 the Drive received over 400 donated items, purchased over 600 items and received over $300 in cash to purchase supplies. The extraordinary success of the Drive is a testament to the generosity of the IOT Community members and local community members. Highly requested items include: