Giving to the Libraries
When you make a gift to the Library - no matter the size - you can make an immediate impact. Your support sustains and advances the work of WVU Libraries and promotes the research of our students and faculty in solving real-world problems for our state and beyond.
Gifts of all shapes and sizes support our students and faculty with the resources they need. You donation might help to provide the technology and material resources for a particular discipline or to assist the Libraries in a project or initiative.
Special Initiatives & Priorities
WVU Libraries counts on passionate, loyal and caring members of the Mountaineer family, like you, to grow and continue the work. Your support empowers us to create incredible opportunities. Some highlights include:
- Art in the Libraries “Food Justice in Appalachia” exhibit opening August 2021. Explore our exhibits past and present.
- Graduate Student Research Commons soon to have its’ own space at the Downtown Library starting summer 2021
- West Virginia & Regional History Center – From “Social Change Through Cookbooks” to our newest national park, The New River Gorge, visit our blog which highlights the archives in many unique ways.
- WVU Museum of the Health Sciences , opening Fall 2021. Watch the video!
Make your donation to any of these areas today.
Giving for a Lifetime
Establish an Endowment
Establishing an endowment is one way to ensure funds are available annually for a particular need. Endowments can be designated by the donor to support Library resources for a specific program within the University or to remain unrestricted to meet the most critical needs. When naming the endowment, a donor may choose to create it in their own name or to honor a loved one or a favorite professor.
Leave a Legacy
Many choose to look toward the future by including a bequest in their will. There are multiple planned giving options. A bequest could be used to create an endowment or to direct funds to a particular area of interest. There are multiple methods to fund a bequest. Learn more about making a gift through a will or living trust by visiting WVU Foundation Planned Gifts.However you choose to help the WVU Libraries, it will be greatly appreciated. To discuss making a donation, creating an endowment, or writing a bequest, please contact Paula Martinelli at (304) 293-0304 or paula.martinelli@mail.wvu.edu.
A Friend of the WVU Libraries
A great university requires a great library, and private giving is essential to a great library. The WVU Libraries count on friends who understand that the Libraries are central to the University’s mission.
Friends of the WVU Libraries will receive Ex Libris, our bi-annual magazine, and invitations to special events and receptions at the Libraries. You can become a Friend with an annual gift of $60. Individuals who establish an endowment or make a planned gift become lifetime members of the Friends.
Become a Friend of WVU Libraries with your donation today or you may also make a check payable to WVU Libraries and mail to:
Friends of the WVU Libraries
WVU Libraries - Access Services
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown, WV 26506-6069
For more information about the Friends of the WVU Libraries, contact Paula Martinelli,
Director of Development, at
(304) 293-0304 or
paula.martinelli@mail.wvu.edu.
Gifts of Books and Materials
West Virginia University Libraries welcome and encourage gifts of books and materials for the libraries that support the University’s curriculum and research objectives.
Subject Librarians review gift volumes for retention. Needs of the collection, individual subject collecting practices, and physical condition are all factors in retention decisions. Items in poor physical condition will not be retained except by prior special arrangement with one of our special collections bibliographers.
The Libraries do not accept conditions with regard to the processing, retention or housing of gift items. The library may add items to the collection, sell or dispose of items in accordance with University policy, or donate items to other libraries if more appropriate for another collection. Proceeds from the sale of donated materials which are not added to the collection will support the acquisition of new library materials.
Because the library does not accept conditions as to retention or treatment of individual items or collections, the Library encourages individuals to contact our special collections bibliographers directly in cases of unusual gifts or large collections needing individual attention. Bibliographers for these collections are listed below.
The Libraries encourage donors to consider, for their own interest, obtaining an appraisal of their gifts for income tax purposes prior to donation. The library does not create or retain a listing of donated items and will not be able to provide information other than the number of items donated.
To be accepted, all gifts must fall within the guidelines of the Libraries’ collection development policies. Some basic guidelines are listed here:
- Print journal issues are not added to the collection when access to the same content is available in an online format.
- Textbooks are not routinely added to the collection, except in response to specific faculty requests.
- Mass market paperback or trade paperback editions are not added to the collection, except in cases where it is the only edition available in print.
- In general, the Libraries do not retain duplicates or items in poor condition.
Special Collections Bibliographers: