Special Collections Services for Donors
Donating Your Papers To The Special Collections Library
The University of Tennessee Special Collections Library is dedicated to building collections of manuscripts, books, and other unique research materials in support of both the University’s scholarly community and interested members of the general public. Our current collection strengths include:
- The Civil War in Tennessee
- Tennessee politics and politicians
- Religion in Tennessee between 1800 and 1950
- Native American tribes in the Southeast
- 20th century Tennessee authors
- Knoxville’s growth during the 20th century
- Oak Ridge and the Tennessee Valley Authority
- The Great Smoky Mountains
- The University of Tennessee
Donations of personal, family, or organizational papers related to these collecting strengths are welcome.
Why should I donate my papers to Special Collections?
Letters, diaries, photos, and other material collected over the years give vital and unique information regarding your life or the history of your family or organization. Whether or not members of your family attained a degree of fame, they have contributed to the heritage of a certain time and place. When you donate your papers to Special Collections, your history becomes a part of the community’s collective memory.
What types of materials might Special Collections accept?
We accept collections of as small as a single item and as large as dozens of boxes. Material need not be organized, old, or related to a famous individual, event or organization for it to be historically significant. Types of materials collected by Special Collections include:
- Letters and correspondence
- Diaries, memoirs, and reminiscences
- Writings, papers, speeches, and reports
- Photographs and scrapbooks
- Genealogical information
- Records of a business, community group, or organization
There is no need for you to cull or reorganize the papers. In fact, the research value of the papers may be diminished if items are removed or if the records are rearranged. Potential donors, therefore, are encouraged to contact Special Collections before weeding, discarding, or reorganizing their papers.
How do I donate material to Special Collections?
The first step in donating material to Special Collections is to contact an Archivist regarding the papers. He or she will begin by determining whether or not the papers fit into our collections strengths. If the Archivist determines that the papers would be better served in another repository, he or she may suggest more appropriate locations for your donation. If it is determined that the collection belongs in Special Collections, the Archivist will work with you on the physical transfer of the papers and on the completion of a deed of gift.
What happens to my papers after they are received by Special Collections?
Staff and students in Special Collections have been trained in the organization and preservation of rare materials. Papers donated to Special Collections will be processed according to professional archival standards and housed in acid-free folders and boxes to assure their life and security. Any items found in the collection that are not deemed historically significant or that contain sensitive information can be returned to you, if requested. Selected items may be chosen for digitization. A finding aid (a brief guide to the collections for researchers) will be produced and mounted on the Special Collections website. At that point, the papers are made available to researchers in the Special Collections Reading Room in Hoskins Library.
Is my donation tax deductible? Can you appraise my material?<
In certain circumstances, it may be possible for a donor to take a tax deduction for the donation of a manuscript collection. You are encouraged to speak with a tax accountant or attorney about this possibility. Archivists cannot give tax advice, nor can they provide an appraisal of the monetary value of a collection. Upon request, however, Special Collections can provide you with a list of professionals who can (for a fee) make monetary appraisals.
Who should I contact about donating materials to Special Collections?
If you would like to donate papers or if you have questions about donating your papers, please contact the Special Collections Library.