How can I donate books or other items to the library?

Gifts to Penrose Library

Gifts to Penrose Library are very welcomed and valued. Through the generous support of friends and alumni, donations to the Library have helped build outstanding collections. Gifts, often those that memorialize or honor loved ones, continue to help foster the traditions of scholarship, critical thinking, and lifelong learning that are hallmarks of a Whitman education. Modest gifts are very much appreciated, as are bequests, endowments and larger contributions.

General Policy

The general collection does not accept material donations at this time. Please contact Head of Collection Strategies, Lindsay Tebeck, at tebeckl@whitman.edu if you would like a list of alternative locations that may benefit from your donation.

Special Collections Materials

Gifts of manuscript collections, rare books, and unique historic materials, especially those that pertain to Whitman College and northwest regional history, are encouraged. Before such items or materials are donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives, please consult with Alexis Hickey, Archivist and Special Collections Librarian (509-526-4731 or hickeya@whitman.edu). The Development Office encourages donors to consider providing financial support for the processing and preservation of such donated materials, especially if the collection is of substantial size and/or significance.

For more information, please review the Whitman College and Northwest Archives Collection Development Policy.

General Library Materials

As of July 2025, Penrose Library will no longer accept donations of materials for the general collection. 

This change aligns with best practices adopted by many academic libraries to ensure the responsible use of space, staff time, and other resources. By focusing on curated, demand-driven acquisitions, we can better support the evolving needs of teaching, learning, and research at Whitman College. Materials no longer accepted include—but are not limited to—books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, and other physical media.

If you would like a list of local organizations that may benefit from your donation, please contact Lindsay Tebeck, Head of Collection Strategies, at tebeckl@whitman.edu.

Financial Support

Monetary gifts, especially those that would enable the purchase of new materials, the delivery of innovative services, additional furnishings, technology enhancements, or the support of special program areas are actively encouraged. Please contact Ping Fu, Library Director (509-527-5193 or fup@whitman.edu) or Steve Setchell, Vice President for Development and College Relations (509-527-5979 or setchesj@whitman.edu) for more information.

Please contact Ping Fu, Library Director (509-527-5193 or fup@whitman.edu) if you have any questions or wish to discuss a specific donation.