Library Donations Policy for Published Material

September 2020: SOAS Library is currently unable to accept donations of books or journals. This is likely to be the case for the foreseeable future.

SOAS Special Collections are still accepting donations of archives and manuscripts. Please contact Special Collections if you would like to discuss an offer.

Donations

  1. the Library welcomes donations on Africa, Asia and the Middle East and other relevant subject material
  2. potential donors should contact the Library Enquiry Desk. Donors should provide as much detail as possible in describing the material they wish to offer
  3. donors should complete and sign the Library Donation Form and include it with the donation
  4. in considering donations the Library will take into account its Collections' Development Policy, online availability and the availability of the material in other London locations
  5. in considering donations the Library will also take into account the space (shelf) requirements demanded by the donation and future maintenance requirements
  6. the Library will not accept donations of material which it already holds, except:
    1. to replace existing copies
    2. to support current high demand, i.e. for teaching
  7. donors should be aware that the Library reserves the right to dispose of donations as it sees fit, by sale, gift or discarding it at some future point
  8. the Library cannot accept material with caveats or restrictive conditions
  9. donated material will become the sole property of the Library
  10. donated material placed in the Library will be available to all Library users
  11. the Library houses rare and/or valuable items in purpose built accommodation compliant with PD 54:54:2012
  12. donors should inform the Library if they require an acknowledgement for their donation
  13. valuable donations will be acknowledged by letter signed by the Director of Library and Information Services
  14. bequests will be treated as gifts unless prior arrangements have been made
  15. by vesting material in the Library the donor will be deemed to have accepted the conditions of the Donations Policy
  16. whilst SOAS Library welcomes donations of archives and manuscripts we can only accept such material by prior arrangement. If you wish to donate archives or manuscript to SOAS Library please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department to discuss your offer