Donations Policy

Donating Materials to Neumann Library

I. Purpose of this policy

Neumann Library welcomes donations that support the research and educational missions of the University of Houston-Clear Lake.  However, because of the significant staff time required to review, process and add donated materials to the library's collection, we are unable to accept all donations and reserve the right to review the condition and appropriateness of materials before they are accepted for donation.

II. Types of material sought

Donations of particular value to the library's collections include scholarly monographs, contemporary popular materials (particularly films, hardcover novels and hardcover nonfiction) and journal issue that fill in gaps in our print journal collection.

The library accepts materials that are in good condition, meaning they are intact and free from extensive highlighting, strong odors, mildew, water damage, dust, insects, or other damage.

III.  Materials generally excluded from consideration

Items not generally accepted include:

• Titles the library already owns
• Mass market paperbacks
• Textbooks and computer science books over 5 years old
• Periodicals (Journals, magazines, newspapers)
• General reference works (Dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases)
• Gray literature (Annual reports, working papers, conference proceedings)
• Ephemera (Bulletins, minutes of meetings, pamphlets, yearbooks)
• Loose-leaf materials
• Discontinued or specialized media formats (VHS, microfilm, vinyl, 4k Blu-ray)
• Orphaned supplemental materials, such as workbooks and reading guides
• Computer software

IV.  Archival materials

Rare materials, materials related to UHCL or Clear Lake history, or materials concerning NASA and space exploration will be reviewed by the University Archivist for their appropriateness for the Neumann Library's Archives and Special Collections. Please contact UHCL Archives to discuss a donation.

V. Donations Process

If you are interested in donating materials, please email the library's donations coordinator, David Palmer (palmerd@uhcl.edu), to arrange your donation. The library will not accept donations that have not been prearranged. The coordinator will contact you in order to schedule a time for you to drop off your donation and arrange any necessary assistance to transport materials from your vehicle to the library. Please note, Neumann Library is unable to make pickups and donors must make arrangements to have materials delivered to UHCL.

When dropping off your donation, you will be asked to fill out a Donation Agreement form, which specifies the terms of agreement and provides a record of the donation so that the library can provide a letter acknowledging receipt of your donation. This agreement also specifies that, upon donation, materials become the property of Neumann Library and may be added to the library's collection, discarded, or sold at the library’s discretion.