Giving Opportunities

Since 1966, Robert Muldrow Cooper Library has been the heart of academic life at Clemson University. Approaching sixty years later, Clemson Libraries continue to drive discovery, support student success, and foster world-class research. When you invest in Clemson Libraries, you are investing in ALL Clemson students, alumni, faculty, researchers, and community members. To meet the evolving needs of Clemson’s growing community, we invite you to consider these donation and philanthropic investment opportunities:

• Annual Library Friends Membership Fund*: Become a Friend of the Libraries by making an annual donation to the Friends of the Libraries Fund. This unrestricted support ensures we can meet immediate needs, take advantage of new opportunities, and maintain our commitment to Clemson’s students, faculty, and researchers. Please see below for membership levels.
• Class of 1961 Library Heritage Student Worker Fund: The Libraries employs more student workers than any other college or unit at Clemson. Fund these valuable and specialized work experiences while providing essential assistance to Clemson’s Libraries.
• (CUP) Clemson University Press: Enhance Clemson’s footprint and reputation by supporting the publication of open-access, peer-reviewed journals and books. Your gift makes cutting-edge research freely available online, broadening impact and accessibility worldwide.
• Honor with Books Fund: Commemorate a loved one or celebrate a milestone by adding a book to the Libraries’ collection. Each $100 donation to this fund helps enrich Clemson’s academic resources while creating a meaningful tribute through one book tribute.
• Sigma Alpha Zeta 50th Anniversary Library Presentation Studio: Support the ongoing enhancement of the Sigma Alpha Zeta Library Presentation Studio, a space that fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation for Clemson students and faculty.
• Special Collections Acquisitions: Preserve Clemson’s legacy and advance Clemson’s signature research initiatives by supporting our rare and historical collections. Initiatives include architecture, athletics, forestry and agriculture, military heritage, neurodiversity and ClemsonLIFE, textiles, and the women of Clemson.
• University Historian’s Fund: Preserve Clemson’s rich history and ensure the stories of Clemson’s past are documented and shared through educational programs, historical markers, and community engagement efforts.

*Friends of the Libraries membership is on a calendar year cycle (January 1 – December 31 of each year). We will contact members in December to renew their membership for the upcoming year. See the Friends of the Libraries tab for more info on the annual Friends of the Libraries membership levels.

Giving Options

Donate Physical Items

Clemson Libraries gratefully accepts donations of gifts-in-kind that enhance our collections and align with our mission to support research, learning and community engagement. Donations of artwork, books, prints, manuscripts and other scholarly materials with high academic value are welcome and will be processed, cataloged and made accessible under the Libraries’ policies. To ensure your gift has the greatest impact, we encourage donors to consider making a financial contribution to help offset costs associated with processing, cataloging and conserving these materials. If you have items you wish to donate or would like to discuss whether they fall within our collecting scope, please contact Brian Sisco, at bsisco@nullclemson.edu, to explore your options. Thank you for helping us preserve knowledge and inspire future generations of Tigers!

Tax Deductibility of Gifts in Kind

Library employees may not act as appraisers of gifts to the Libraries, nor may they suggest as appraisers names of employees of Clemson University. We recommend donors consult with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a tax expert for detailed information on appraisals and donated materials for a charitable tax deduction. Clemson University Libraries does not accept gifts of books with an actual value unless the gift is appraised by a qualified third party. Please note that IRS laws prohibit the Libraries and its employees from assessing the monetary value of any gifts of library material. For more information, visit the IRS website. Potential donors may also want to consult IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions or IRS Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property, both available at the IRS web site.

Clemson Faculty

For Clemson faculty who wish to make a donation, coordinate through your subject liaison. Please visit the Subjects Librarian page for your liaison contact information. The Libraries reserves the right not to add gifts to their collections, but may sell materials not accepted or may donate items to another library. The revenue generated from the sale of these donations will be used to purchase new materials for the Libraries collections. Materials in unsalable condition will be recycled.

Donate in the Future

Create a Legacy with Clemson Libraries. By including Clemson Libraries in your estate plans, you can leave a lasting legacy that impacts generations of students, faculty, and researchers. Planned gifts ensure the Libraries continue to provide vital resources, innovative learning spaces, and transformative programs in perpetuity, while offering potential benefits to you and your family. Whether through a bequest, charitable gift annuity, or charitable trust, your planned gift can be tailored to reflect your personal values and philanthropic goals. Assets are often used to establish endowed funds, enabling your vision to benefit Clemson Libraries in the way that matters most to you. Our Planned Giving team is here to assist you with expertise and personalized support. We can provide confidential gift illustrations and sample language to ensure your wishes are fulfilled seamlessly. Together, we can explore how your generosity can help move Clemson Libraries Fiercely Forward — today, tomorrow and forever. For more information, contact Libraries Development Officer Brian Sisco at bsisco@nullclemson.edu.

Honor with Books

The Honor with Books program through Clemson Libraries offers an opportunity to honor special occasions, memorialize beloved friends and family, or simply thank professors, colleagues, or mentors. With a gift of $100, you will support the purchase of additional materials for the Libraries while commemorating the meaningful events and people from your life.

Recognition

A name plate like the example below will be added to a newly purchased book. Donors and honorees of the tribute will be notified periodically with the name and searchable catalogue entry of each book.

Questions? Contact Libraries Development Officer Brian Sisco at bsisco@nullclemson.edu or 864-324-6873.