University of Guelph Library
An L.M. Montgomery display of materials from the UofG collection.
The Library's Archival and Special Collections is interested in donations of book collections and primary source materials on particular subjects. Particular areas of interest are Scottish studies; landscape design and architecture; Canadian culinary works, agricultural and rural history, local history; and theatre in Ontario. Normally the Library is only interested in resources that fall within the scope of its collecting mandate and that do not duplicate material already held.
Collections of rare or specialized books, e.g. Canadian materials published prior to 1900, are valuable additions to university libraries. As well, researchers have found that the history of an area, discipline or subject is more often told by unpublished or ephemeral records than printed materials. Letters, correspondence, reports, minutes, planning documents, programs, brochures, newsletters, yearbooks, photographs, and other kinds of personal and business records, can be of immense value to the historian.
To donate archival or special book collections, please contact us. We can speak or meet with you, examine, select, and make arrangements to receive the items. Upon receipt, the donation is acknowledged and a gift form created. We undertake an evaluation of the donated items and an appropriate tax receipt is provided by the University. Next, the materials will be examined, often item by item. Archival papers will be sorted, placed in acid-free folders, and titles, subjects, and dates will be identified and listed. Some initial conservation and preservation steps may also be taken. The material is catalogued in our electronic database and stored in our temperature and humidity controlled closed stack areas.
Archival and Special Collections offers constant security, environmental controls such as proper lighting, as well as housing in acid-free storage containers, and special compact shelving for rare books. Before making a commitment, we encourage donors to visit us — see our facility, how we preserve and catalogue materials, and view some of the extensive collections.
The Library needs cash gifts as well as gifts of materials. Funds are always needed to organize, maintain, and care for our collections so that they may be preserved, digitized, and made available for future generations. Support is also needed for the acquisition of collections or specific books. Many fine collections and books are donated to the Library each year, but oftentimes rare or important works are listed for sale exclusively.
To honour an individual, a family, a company, or an organization through a gift is easily accomplished. Gifts can be special tributes to people, either as memorials or as a means of honouring them in their lifetime. Gifts can be recognized on our catalogue or with donor bookplates.
For more information please contact Archival and Special Collections.