Penn State University Libraries - Gifts Policy

The Penn State Harrisburg Library collection is developed not only through purchase, but also through the highly selective acceptance of suitable gifts. In accordance with policies of the University Libraries, gift materials are accepted with the understanding that they become the property of the University Libraries and may be disposed of in any way the library deems appropriate. In addition, the policy states that the Penn State Harrisburg Library "may ask to review material prior to acceptance and must reserve the right to refuse an offer of material that is already held in the collections or that does not meet collection needs." The Penn State Harrisburg librarians are willing to examine materials before they are brought to the library to determine their suitability for adding to the collection.

The Penn State Harrisburg Library adds very few donated items to the collection and all such additions are solely at the discretion of the subject specialist librarians.

The Penn State Harrisburg Library will generally not add the following types of donations to the collection:

• Materials whose subject matter or presentation is outside the scope of the collection.
• Outdated or superseded materials (generally 5 years old or older; especially textbooks, VHS tapes, phonograph records, and cassette tapes).
• Journal issues and volumes.
• Materials in poor physical condition.
• Materials which duplicate current holdings.
• Materials subject to any restrictions requested by the donor.

We encourage you to consider donating materials to other local libraries or to the book sales of other organizations:

Middletown Public Library
20 North Catherine Street
Middletown, PA 17057
717-944-6412

Hershey Public Library
701 Cocoa Avenue
Hershey, PA 17033
717-533-6555

William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library
200 West Second Street
Hummelstown, PA 17036
717-566-0949