Donations

The Library does not actively seek donations of printed material. The Library’s Content Strategy outlines how the Library provides access to the content required for teaching and research at the University. The assumption is that wherever possible, content will be provided digitally. With that in mind, the Library will only accept donations of printed material that meet the following criteria: 

• Relevant to current teaching and research programmes at the University and to the Library’s Content Strategy 

• Not duplicating existing material held by the Library. Please check StarPlus to see if we already have the item

• In good physical condition

• Free of delivery costs to the Library

Donations are only accepted on the understanding that if they are not considered suitable for adding to stock they will be disposed of through the Library's ethical disposal procedure. Where possible, the unwanted items will be sold, and any money raised will be used to purchase new resources for the Library. If the items are not able to be sold they will be ethically recycled.

How to donate to the Library:

If you are considering making a donation of printed material please email a list or description of the items (including author, title, publisher, year and edition, where possible) to library@sheffield.ac.uk.

If you are considering making a donation of material or funding to Special Collections, Heritage and Archives, including the National Fairground and Circus Archive please email lib-special@sheffield.ac.uk with details. You may also find it helpful to read our Collecting Policies, which are available on the About Us webpage. 

Alternative options for donations:

If your printed material is not suitable for donating to the Library, perhaps you might like to consider the following alternative organisations that deal with printed material for donation:

• Better World Books (https://www.betterworldbooks.com/)

• Anybook (https://www.anybook.biz/)

• Oxfam Bookshops (https://www.oxfam.org.uk/shops/)

• Simply Textbook (https://simplytextbook.co.uk/)