The Women's Library welcomes donations of materials that might be appropriate for adding to its collections.
The development of the Women's Library's collections is very much dependent on the offer of donations. The Library is aware that many donations are from collections that owners have developed over a number of years and are of great sentimental value. To ensure we can accommodate as many donors' offers as possible the Library is very appreciative of donors who help with the sorting process and can organise transport. This helps maximise the use of Library's resources.
Donations procedure
First, please write us a letter or send us an email containing your address, phone number, and email address (if applicable). Send your letter or email to the appropriate member of staff, and include additional information as indicated:
For books, periodicals, pamphlets, and other published materials:
The Women's Library only accepts material that is specifically woman focused. The Woman's Library's collections are extensive and to ensure maximum use of space the Library does not hold duplicates. However we do take different editions.
To help with the sorting process please Search Our Collections online to check if we do not hold your items. List all the items we do not hold with author, title, publication details and whether it is a hardback (hb) or paperback (pk). Please include issue numbers/dates for periodicals.
When you are offering a large collection of items and feel that listing the items would be impossible please identify all the woman focused materials, provide an indication of how many items there are and provide some sample titles.
Unsolicited donations
Unfortunately, we cannot accept any donations without prior arrangement with a member of staff as indicated above. All donations, even those of one book or periodical title, must be received via the above procedure as the Library may well hold the item or it may be out of The Women's Library's collections' scope. We reserve the right to dispose of any unsolicited material sent to us without prior arrangement.
Address your letter to: Dianne Shepherd, Information Librarian.
For archives (letters, diaries, correspondence, organisational records, etc.):
Please include a description of what you have, details of the originating organisation or individual, and an indication of the quantity. Address your letter to: Teresa Doherty, Collections Manager.
For museum objects or visual materials (photographs, posters, postcards, etc.):
Please include a description of what you have and an indication of the quantity. Address your letter to: Briony Benge-Abbott, Curator, Special Collections.
What happens next?
We will acknowledge your correspondence as soon as we can, normally within 2-4 weeks. Please allow three months for staff to process lists of printed materials. We may need to discuss the donation at a meeting of our Acquisitions Board and/or make arrangements to see the material you have. If this is the case, we will let you know.
Unsolicited donations
Unfortunately, we cannot accept any donations without prior arrangement with a member of staff as indicated above. All donations, even those of one book or periodical title, must be received via the above procedure. We reserve the right to dispose of any unsolicited material sent to us without prior arrangement.
Click here for our Collections Development Policy
|
