Donations

MEC Library Donations Policy

Since its inception in 1957, the MEC Library has greatly benefited from gifts from many donors, who have contributed to the richness of its collections. The MEC Library is grateful for the continued support it receives from donors.

All offers of collections to the MEC Library must be addressed to the MEC Librarian meclibrary@sant.ox.ac.uk for consideration. Potential donors are strongly encouraged to provide lists of the items they are offering.

Due to constraints on space and resources, the MEC Library is generally unable to accept books or resources that duplicate its existing collections, unless there is a special reason for that. 

The following criteria are applied in considering whether or not the MEC Library can accept a donation or bequest: 

  1. The material must fall within the scope of the MEC Library’s Acquisition Policy.
  2. Resources required for receiving, processing and cataloguing material.
  3. The availability of the same books in other Oxford libraries.
  4. Books must be in sound and unmarked condition unless there is an exceptional case for acceptance.
  5. Donations and bequests are accepted on the understanding that they will become the property of the MEC Library on receipt. 
  6. Items to be added to the library’s holdings will be catalogued and processed as time and space permit.  Books will usually be integrated with the existing stock and cannot be kept as discrete collections.
  7. The donor will usually be acknowledged on each catalogued book’s bookplate, as well as in the online catalogue SOLO. Alternative ways of acknowledging donations can be discussed with the Librarian.
  8. Items that are not retained, either at the time of receipt or subsequently, may be passed to other libraries, sold or otherwise disposed of, the proceeds of any sales being used to the benefit of the MEC Library.