Message from the Dean of University Libraries
Thank you for your interest in donating to the University Libraries at Murray State. In an age of the electronic dissemination of information, the University Libraries at Murray State have become much more of a central part of student life. We have focused our energies over these last few years on developing our public services, and making both Waterfield and Pogue Libraries places that support learning – whether through the provision of research materials (in print or online), through the availability of modern technology, or even just through the creation of a comfortable atmosphere for students. Through the generosity of our donors, we are able to enrich each of these elements of our mission, providing an even higher level of service to the university community, and making the University Libraries one of the most used services on campus. Please read on for more information about your contribution. Thank you again for your interest in the Murray State University Libraries.
| Adam Murray |
| Interim Dean of University Libraries |
*Give online to the University Libraries at Murray State. Simply visit this website (https://www.murraystate.edu/ialu/onlinegiving/), fill in the information, and be sure to place your donation in the MSU Libraries line.
Can I make a monetary donation?
What should I donate?
Five Areas of Giving
How do I get a charitable deduction on my tax return?
How will my contribution be used?
Commemorative Bookplates
How do I contribute?
Questions?
Can I make a monetary donation?
Monetary gifts to the University Libraries to purchase materials are welcome. Gifts may be made in memory of (or in honor of) family members, colleagues, and friends, or to recognize specific individuals. The giver may indicate a particular topic or type of materials to be acquired with the donation. Individual bookplates are placed in each item, and letters of acknowledgement are sent to the donor and to the designated individual. For more information or to make a monetary donation, please contact Tina Franke, MSU Development Office at 270.809.3250 or John Hendren, Library Gifts Clerk at 270.809.4817.
What should I donate?
Certain materials are especially valuable to the University Libraries, particularly books and journals that fill existing gaps and that:
- Support the curriculum
- Support student and faculty research
- Support the goals of the library’s collection development program
Five Areas of Giving
- Technology
The Library provides computer labs, lap tops, online content, and assisted reading devices for those with learning disabilities. Keeping these resources available and up-to-date requires much funding.
- Facility
Waterfield Library sees nearly one third of our enrolled student population pass through its doors daily. Providing the many different services students expect in a modern library requires creativity, space and funding.
- Special Collections
Preservation and digitization of the collections housed at Pogue Library is costly and time consuming. Monetary and material donations made to Pogue Library can be used to meet these needs, as well as expand the genealogy and historical collections.
- Collections at Waterfield Library
Waterfield Library is always looking to expand its collection. Donations of new or used books, DVDs, CDs, maps and other materials are always welcome and appreciated. Monetary donations for the purchase of new materials can also be made.
- Journals and Databases
The University Libraries spends annually over $1 million on maintaining its subscriptions to journals and databases. This is easily our biggest need, and one that is most difficult for donors to support. The cost of journals and databases goes up by roughly 10% per year. The best way for a donor to support this type of purchasing is by the establishment of an endowment.
How do I get a charitable deduction on my tax return?
In order to process your gift and ensure proper recognition and appropriate charitable tax deduction credit, you are responsible for providing an itemized list of gift titles contributed, including estimated value. If an itemized list (including estimated value for each item) is not provided with your donation, your donation will be considered an anonymous contribution. Please use the form enclosed to itemize your donation. This form is also available online at http://lib.murraystate.edu/pdf/ItemizedDonationList.pdf
The IRS requires the donor to determine and verify the value of their gift for a charitable deduction credit to their tax return. The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 establishes the following guidelines for charitable donations:
- < $250: For donations estimated by the donor to be $250 or less, no acknowledgement will be made by Murray State University
- · $250—$500: For donations estimated by the donor to be between $250 and $500, the donor will receive a written acknowledgement to be filed with their tax return
- · $500—$4,999: For donations estimated by the donor to be between $500 and $4,999, the donor must file Form 8283 and attach the written acknowledgement with their tax return
- · > $5,000: For donations estimated by the donor to be more than $5,000 the donor must retain a licensed third-party appraiser to determine the fair market value of the gift. Should an appraisal be necessary, a qualified appraiser, as designated by the IRS, must prepare a qualified appraisal prior to the material being delivered to the Library. In addition, the deduction received from a gift may be limited to the cost of goods donated if the cost is less than the market value of the donated property. It is important to consult with a tax advisor, as there are many variables to take into consideration when determining the value of this gift. Approval for the donation must be obtained from the Murray State University Board of Regents.
If you choose not to retain an independent appraiser to evaluate your collection, you may be able to determine the value of particular items using one of these Internet resources for rare and used books:
How will my contribution be used?
Gifts of materials are accepted by the University Libraries with the understanding that upon receipt, the Libraries become the owner of the materials. Gifts are evaluated by the same standards as purchased items to ensure the total collection maintains high quality, consistency, and relevance to the needs of the University. Due to space limitations and the cost of cataloging, some gifts cannot be added to the collection. Factors such as condition, age, or subject matter may eliminate some books from consideration. If a gift is not added to the collection it may be sold, offered to other libraries, or discarded.
Commemorative Bookplates
Any donated materials or new materials purchased with donated funds can be made in memory or in honor of a loved one. Upon request at time of donation, commemorative bookplates will be placed in each item before they are added to our collection.
How do I contribute?
Murray State University Libraries require contact with John Hendren prior to any gift delivery. Gifts should be delivered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm to Office 104, Waterfield Library. Large collections can be reviewed on site to determine which material is potentially useful to the University Libraries. The Library may be able to pick up or ship very large or significant collections. To make arrangements for delivery or Library review/pickup, please contact John Hendren at 270.809.4817.
Questions?
Please contact:
| John Hendren / MSU Libraries: |
Ph: 270.809.4817 or jhendren@murraystate.edu |
| Tina Franke / MSU Development: |
Ph: 270.809.3250 or tina.franke@murraystate.edu |
| Adam Murray/ MSU Libraries: |
Ph: 270.809.3510 or adam.murray@murraystate.edu |
The faculty and staff of MSU Libraries thank you and wish you the very best.
