The Rubenstein Library staff welcomes inquiries from individuals or organizations interested in adding to the Library's holdings.  Many of the Library's rare and unique materials have been received as gifts or acquired with support from Friends of the Duke University Libraries. 

• After receiving your inquiry, Library staff will forward your message to the appropriate member of the Collection Development department for review.
• Depending on the nature of the inquiry, staff may need additional information about the content, condition, or ownership of the materials you are offering to determine whether the materials are appropriate for the Library's collections (see the Library's Collections page for a list of areas in which the Library collects).
• If the materials are appropriate for the Library's collections, the Library will draft a gift agreement transferring ownership of the materials to the Library.  Materials normally will not be accepted on deposit or on loan.  Disposition of unsolicited materials sent to the Library that are not appropriate for the Library's collections will be at the discretion of Library staff in accordance with standard library procedures. 
• You may be entitled to take an income tax charitable deduction for your gift of rare materials.  This might require the filing of an IRS Form 8283 with your tax return and the commissioning of a qualified appraisal.    See the sidebar for links to qualified appraisers who can appraise materials for a fee and information from the IRS.  You are strongly urged to consult with your personal tax advisor or legal counsel with regard to any tax-related issues. 
• Copyright for writings and other original creative material (such as photographs or music) belongs to the creator, or his or her heirs, but may be legally transferred.