Book Donations

Over the years, the collections of the JKM Library have been greatly enhanced by donations from friends and patrons of the library. The library greatly appreciates the generosity of those desiring to donate their books and other materials.

The library still wants to aid patrons and friends in disposing of their beloved books. The vast majority of these books will not be retained by the library, but will be sold at the library's on-going book sale. Your donated books will be sold to students at "rock-bottom" prices. Proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase new library materials.

The library will count the volumes donated and send you a letter of acknowledgment for IRS purposes. However, what you claim to the IRS regarding your donation is a matter between you and the IRS. Under current law, the library is not able to certify the monetary value of these donated materials. If you suspect that your donation is worth $500 or more, be advised that you will need to file Form #8283 with the IRS. If you feel your donation is worth $5,000 or more, you must have a reputable, independent rare or used book dealer certify this assessment prior to donating the materials to the JKM Library. Feel free to contact us for a list of used book dealers in the Chicago area.

We also ask that donors observe the following guidelines in bringing donated books to us:

• Please pack your books in boxes weighing no more than 45-50 lbs. each.
• Please call the library at least a day in advance of dropping books off, so that we can plan to meet you and have staff on hand to receive and count your donation.
• Please bring your donation in before 4 p.m. so that your donation can be received well before staff leave for the day.
• If you wish the library to send you a letter of acknowledgement for tax purposes, please leave your name, address, and telephone number with a library staff member.
• If you have unusual titles such as works that pertain to the history of LSTC or McCormick, works that you have authored, or rare items that you think would particularly enhance the JKM Library, please contact either the Library Director or the Associate Librarian for Public Services about them so they can be given special consideration for possible inclusion into the collection.

Materials donated to the JKM Library become the property of the library, which then assumes sole responsibility for their disposal.

Thank you for thinking of the JKM Library of McCormick Theological Seminary and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and for your donation!