Donations Enquiries

Collecting

The University of Melbourne’s collections have grown thanks to generous donations of material. In 1903 the George Arthur bequest donated the first rare book to the library. In 1959 the collection was strengthened by a gift by Dr John Orde Poynton of unique rare books and Old Master prints. We have been actively building the collection since, with significant holdings of Prints, Rare Books, Rare East Asian, Rare Maps and Rare Music collections.

Since the 1960s the University of Melbourne Archives (UMA) has acquired unique material in diverse areas, along with the official records of the University.

All acquisitions and donations are carefully considered against a number of criteria including:

  • our collection development strategy
  • relationship to the University and its history
  • cultural significance
  • our current holdings and collecting priorities
  • physical condition and size
  • potential future use for research and display
  • copyright status and any privacy considerations that may limit our ability to provide open access.

Donations

Thank you for considering donating to Archives and Special Collections, as gifts enable us to increase the range of materials we provide to our students and researchers. All donations are appraised and accepted at our discretion.

To offer a donation to Rare Books, Rare Prints, Rare East Asian, Rare Music or Maps
special-collections@unimelb.edu.au
To offer a donation to the University of Melbourne Archives
Fill out this form

Collections may be gifted to the University under the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program after discussion with Archives and Special Collections.

We do not accept unsolicited donations of books, records, archives or other items without prior agreement. Unsolicited donations will be returned to sender. Where no return address is provided they may be disposed of without further recourse to the depositor.