Gifts of Library Materials

The University Library accepts donations of books, journals, and electronic resources that enhance Library support of academic programs, and/or add to our Special Collections holdings.

Donation Process

1. Contact the Gifts Coordinator, Hector Cardona at (915) 747-5694 or hcardona@utep.edu. Please provide a list of the materials or a general statement of the type of material you wish to donate. If the donation is large, photographs of the spines or a title list will help review the collection.
2. A subject specialist librarian will review the title list or photographs to determine what should be accepted. For donations located on UTEP property, a visit can be arranged.
3. After the review, the Library will notify the donor whether the donated items are appropriate for the collections. Download the Donation Form to begin the donation process.
4. If the donor does not want the gift divided, the Library may decide to reject it.
5. The donor is responsible for the transport of the gift to the Library. If other assistance is needed, contact the Gifts Coordinator.
6. An acknowledgment of the gift will be mailed to the donor and the materials added to the collections will contain a note acknowledging the donor.
7. If the Library does not accept your donation, other places might. The El Paso Public Library accepts books and magazines at its bookstores or branch libraries. The El Paso Independent School District accepts magazines and other educational materials. Social service agencies also take books.

Donation Form

Alternatives for Non-accepted Donations can be taken to:

• Bookmark (Friends of the El Paso Public Library)- 7348 Remcon Circle – 915-833-2342
• Friends of the Cielo Vista Library – 3025 McRae Blvd. – 915-779-6916
• Rescue Mission of El Paso – 1949 W. Paisano Dr. – 915-532-2575
• Goodwill Donations – 7015 Alameda Ave. – 915-778-1858

Conditions of Acceptance:

All the following criteria must be met:

• All materials must be reviewed and approved in advance of delivery.
• Gifts are accepted with the understanding that upon receipt the University becomes the owner of the material and reserves the right to determine retention, location, cataloging treatment, and other considerations relating to use or disposition.
• Manuscript donations are subject to the rights/restrictions of the deed of gift.
• Monetary appraisal of a gift is the responsibility of the donor. Donors may wish to discuss prospective gifts and appraisals with their attorneys, tax counsels, or the Development Office.  It is important to discuss the value of gifts in advance whenever tax considerations are a primary concern.
• The Library will not accept gifts that do not follow this policy.

Materials We Typically Don’t Accept:

The Libraries in many cases can no longer accept unsolicited gifts of general-interest library materials. We normally decline to consider donations such as:

• Academic publications that are widely held in U.S. libraries.
• duplicate copies of materials already in the collection.
• mass market books.
• periodicals and magazines (printed)
• textbooks (college-level; except for current editions used in courses)
• unsolicited estate donations
• walk-in donations or unapproved "drop-offs"

Special Cases:

• Personal libraries (including those housed in faculty offices); Donors should consult well in advance with the relevant Subject Specialist. Library staff are not able to do “office cleanouts.”
• Collections from other campus units: Units must consult with the relevant Subject Specialist(s) and other library staff before proposing to transfer a collection. These proposals must be approved by the Library Administration.

Digital Book Plates

Digital books are an option to add to the books from a donation. We have three options to choose from which can be customized with a personalized message. These are the available options. 

Monetary Gifts

Make a gift online at utep.edu/giving/ or Call the Development Office at (915) 747-8533 or toll-free at 1-888-229-8837.

Mail a check to: UTEP, University Development, Kelly Hall, 7th Fl., 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX  79968-0524
Make check payable to "UTEP" and specify the area of interest in the memo line.

The Development Office can also provide you with information on Transferring your securities, Planned Gifts, and Gifts of real estate.

For questions or more information, please contact:

Gifts Coordinator
Hector Cardona
hcardona@utep.edu(915) 747-5694