Norlin LibraryThe University Libraries system is dedicated to providing a learning environment that stimulates and nourishes discourse, discovery, the growth of ideas and the creation of new knowledge.

Library collections and services support both a diverse student body and a curriculum stretching over a wide range of programs. The foundation has been laid for the 21st century student centered learning environment at CU-Boulder, with a state-of-the art online catalog, nationally selected staff and a wide range of print and electronic books and journals.

The next step – building upon our strong foundation – can’t be supported by traditional budgets. However, with your added support, we can achieve our goals as a learning organization, transform our outdated spaces and reframe the Libraries to meet the current and future challenges.

There are several ways to get involved:

Thank you for your consideration. The Libraries may accept materials that support the teaching and research mission of the university. Gift-in-kind donations (including books and other materials) should meet the same selection criteria as our regular purchases, and must be approved by the appropriate subject specialist or library official. While the purchase price of gifts are free, the process of cataloging and adding materials is costly and storage space is limited.

For these reasons, the library doesn’t accept the following types of items:

  • Duplicates of titles already available in our collection
  • Commonly held titles, i.e. best sellers
  • Textbooks
  • Back issues of serials
  • Serials subscriptions
  • Books that don’t fit our teaching or research foci

If you have questions, contact a subject specialist or Director of Scholarly Resource Development Yem Fong.

View Our Gifts Policy

Cash Gifts
Regular annual cash contributions are the lifeblood of private support to the Libraries. These gifts are tax deductible and can be made annually or as multi-year pledges. Gifts may be unrestricted for use where the need is greatest, or designated for a specific purpose.

Gifts in Kind
Each year, the University Libraries receive a large number of offers of gifts of collections of books, works of art, equipment, and other tangible items for use in the libraries. Gifts of valuable personal property not suitable for University use may be accepted by the CU Foundation for sale with the approval of the donor. The proceeds are directed back to support the Libraries. In all cases, the donor is responsible for establishing the value of the donated property in order to claim a charitable income tax deduction.

Matching Gifts
More than 1,000 companies nationwide offer matching gift programs as an employee benefit. These companies can double or even triple the value of an employee's investment in the University Libraries. Your Human Resources Department can provide you with more information and the appropriate forms.

Planned Giving Opportunities & Life Income Plans
There are a variety of unique programs that enable donors to "plan" their gifts according to their charitable interests as part of a future distribution from their estate. Annual gifts can easily be turned into a permanent legacy by adding a bequest designation to a will or placing a beneficiary designation on an IRA.

Planned gifts like our pooled income fund and charitable trusts may produce some advantages far beyond an immediate tax deduction by reducing capital gains and estate taxes or providing lifetime income.

Securities, Real Estate and Appreciated Assets
A donor may derive significant tax savings in making a gift of highly appreciated assets like securities or real estate. By contributing this type of gift, you may be able to avoid capital gains taxes and lower your current income tax. The Foundation stands ready to assist donors or their financial counsel in these matters.

Tribute Gifts and Naming Opportunities
A contribution in honor or memory of a friend, teacher, or relative is a wonderful way to recognize their life and achievements. Larger memorial gifts may be used to establish permanent named endowments, name a building or space in the Libraries, or endow a position of the head of a collection.

Contact
For more information about donating to the University Libraries, please contact Lissy Garrison.