MONETARY SUPPORT

We invite your support of the Smith College Libraries. Gifts to any of the following categories in the Libraries' fundraising goals are particularly welcome as they address current and future needs.

Acquisitions – to provide students and faculty with the best information resources. Preservation – to preserve fragile manuscripts and other library materials. Reading Room – to create a new space for study in Neilson Library. Renovation – to upgrade library spaces and furnishings. Technology – to prepare for future technological change. Sophia Smith Collection – to make more women's history primary sources available to scholars. For information about the long-term needs of the libraries, see Exceptional Resources.

Contributions towards any of the fundsraising goals may be made through the Friends of the Smith College Libraries' office or through the Smith College Office of Advancement. All contributions are tax-deductible and count toward Annual Giving and Class Goals.

MATERIAL SUPPORT

Library collections have been greatly enriched over the years through Gifts of Materials. Potential donors are encouraged to consult library staff before making a gift. For general inquiries, contact Mia Brazill, Coordinator of Collection Development, mbrazill@email.smith.edu, (413) 585-2922.

Donations to special collections must be reviewed by the curator - see http://www.smith.edu/libraries/libs/ for contact information.

Donated materials will be added to the collections as appropriate; duplicates or materials unsuited to the collections will not be retained except where the law requires.

TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The federal government encourages your generosity by allowing you to deduct your charitable gifts on your income tax return if you itemize. There are certain Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines that must be followed to ensure your charitable deduction (www.irs.gov). When you make a gift to the Smith College Libraries, our written acknowledgment must be submitted to substantiate your deduction. IRS Form 8283 is used to deduct non-cash charitable contributions with a value over $500. (See www.irs.gov/pub/irs-8283.pdf.)

For gifts valued at more than $500 you must have the gift appraised within 60 days prior to presenting the gift to the College. You may also want to consider getting an appraisal for individual items valued under $500 to justify setting the value of the item. The IRS requires that the appraiser be qualified, and Smith College is not entitled to appraise gifts received. If you need help locating an appraiser, some standard sources that list appraisers include:

• Antiquarian Bookseller’s Association of America membership directory (212) 944-8291.
• Massachusetts and Rhode Island Antiquarian Booksellers membership directory
• American Society of Appraisers, P.O. Box 17265, Washington, D.C. 20041 (703) 478-2228 or (800) 272-8258.
• Society of American Archivists - Appraiser List.

Thank you for considering a gift to the Smith College Libraries.

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