Giving to The Cooper Union Library

Thank you.

 When you make a gift to The Cooper Union Library, you become a stakeholder and a partner in the success of every Cooper Union student and faculty member. Your support enables us to provide the resources that educate, inform, and inspire. Moreover, your help ensures that we continue our commitment to collect, preserve, and make accessible the rich history of this storied institution, its founder, Peter Cooper and his family. 

Consider becoming a Friend of The Cooper Union Library or simply make a donation. 

Each and every gift is greatly appreciated and makes an important difference. 

With sincerest thanks,

Lisa Norberg, Library Director

Donating Books and Gifts-in-Kind

Donors contribute significantly to strengthening the collections and fulfilling the mission of The Cooper Union Library through their financial support and their gifts of books, manuscripts, and other library materials, which are an indispensable resource for the teaching and research activities of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. While The Cooper Union is deeply grateful for the generosity of its donors, we are not able to accept every gift due to the limited space and the changing nature of our students’ needs.

Donations of Books and Other Research Materials 

Acceptance Guidelines

•  Our subject specialists will determine whether a donation is appropriate and can be accepted. When a staff member accepts a donation, it becomes the property of The Cooper Union Library. 
• The Cooper Union Library reserves the right to determine whether the gift will be retained, where it will be located and how it will be cataloged and circulated. 

Income Tax Deductions

• As a donor, you may be entitled to an income tax deduction within Internal Revenue Service regulations.
• As required by law, you must establish the fair market value of an item contributed to a charity, but a formal appraisal is not always necessary. Appraisals must be done before the gift is transferred to the Libraries.
• You must file IRS Form 8283 if you claim a deduction for non-cash gifts totaling more than $500 within a calendar year. If your gift is valued at more than $5,000, you must get an appraisal by a qualified independent appraiser.
• The Cooper Union Library does not provide collection appraisals. 
• The College’s Development Office will sign IRS Form 8283 for the College and send you the official receipt for IRS purposes.
• Where tax considerations are involved, you may wish to consult your personal attorney or tax advisor.

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