Library Policies

The California Maritime Academy Library welcomes donations that directly contribute to the Library's mission of supporting the educational curricula and programs of the campus. Librarians will review these donations to determine if they meet this purpose and the needs of the collection.

Once donated, all gifts become the property of the Cal Maritime Library. The Cal Maritime Library does not guarantee use of donations and will not return donations that are not added to the collection. Donations not added to the collection may be discarded, sold, or donated to Better World Books.

The Cal Maritime Library WILL normally accept these types of items in excellent condition:

• Hardcover non-fiction related to campus curriculum and faculty research (desired - copyright in past 5 years)
• DVD videos (desired - copyright in past 5 years)
• Travel books (required - copyright in last 5 years)

The Cal Maritime Library WILL NOT normally accept:

• Materials in poor condition (for example: moldy, yellowing pages, highlighted or lined throughout, loose spines, missing covers or pages, etc.)
• Materials that are outdated or in obsolete formats
• Materials already owned by the Cal Maritime Library
• Mass-market paperbacks
• Textbooks (unless current edition)
• Materials indicating they are "For Review Only" or "Discarded"
• Newspapers
• Scattered issues/serials, incomplete volumes, or short runs of magazines or journals
• Encyclopedias or directories
• Outdated formats (VHS tape, cassette tapes, LP records, floppy discs, etc.)

The appraisal of donated materials to the Cal Maritime Library for income tax purposes is the sole responsibility of the donor. Federal tax regulations prohibit the Cal Maritime Library from giving appraisals or estimates of value.

The Cal Maritime Library will provide a letter of acknowledgement and can provide verification for the quantity and type of materials donated upon request.

Monetary donations in support of the Library are greatly appreciated.  Monetary donations should be coordinated through the Academy’s Office of University Advancement, (707) 654-1246.

Monetary donations may also be made online.

Mark Stackpole
Library Technologist 
707-654-1092