Donate

Do you have books, manuscripts, and other materials and are considering donating them to UBL? If so, please get in touch with us.

Vincent Wintermans

Subject librarian Linguistics and Russian Studies

"Ordinary books enrich our collection just as well"

"Leiden University Libraries gladly accepts donations to supplement its collections. By no means are these donations limited to, for instance, old prints, first editions, handmade paper, or books containing unique dedications. On the contrary, we welcome donations of "ordinary" material such as poems, novels, and stories published in recent decades. Such publications are only sparingly available to us through acquisition but are of great value for teaching and research."

Whom to contact

• Donations suitable for our regular (lending) collections can be discussed with the relevant subject librarian.
• Donations suitable for the Special Collections, like manuscripts, old and rare prints, maps, paintings, archives, photographs, etc., can be discussed with the relevant curator.

Terms and conditions

Sometimes we ask for a brief description of the materials you wish to donate, such as a title list and a description of the condition of the materials. In the case of a donation to the Special Collections, we will make further arrangements regarding selection, cataloguing, processing time, placement and possible embargoes.

Due to limited storage space and costs associated with cataloguing, restoration, and storing, subject librarians and curators apply several criteria for accepting materials:

• The donation is a suitable addition to the existing collection.
• The material is in good condition.
• See also About us > Collection > Selection

UBL does not accept donations as (long term) loans, save in exceptional circumstances and with the approval of the University Librarian.

We store materials under the best possible storage conditions while also making them readily available (possibly digitally) to researchers, lecturers and students. If we cannot accept the material offered, we strive to provide advice or guidance on finding an alternative destination.