Donate

The Library encourages donations of print and manuscript materials related to maritime history, along with monetary donations that help us process, conserve, and prepare materials for use by researchers.

What kind of items can be donated?

• All variety of print materials and manuscripts, which relate to maritime history, technology, art, commerce, and the culture of the sea
• Types of material may include books, periodicals, newspapers, photographs, plans, maps, charts, brochures, pamphlets, ships' logbooks, letters, diaries, memoirs, scrapbooks, business records, auction and marine product catalogs, etc.
• All print and manuscript material should be free of mold and mildew.
• Audiovisual and electronic media will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

How do I donate print materials and manuscripts?

• Deliver print or manuscript material, free of mold or mildew, to the Library in boxes or envelopes.
• Provide your name, address, date and telephone number or email address.
• If you are donating more than 20 books, please provide a list of items in advance and include the author, title, publisher, and publication date.
• If you plan to mail items to the Library or donate audiovisual or electronic media, please contact us in advance at library@MarinersMuseum.org or 757-591-7782.
• If you have any questions about our donation procedures, please contact us.
• For manuscripts, ships' logbooks, plans, family and business papers and photographs, contact manuscripts@MarinersMuseum.org.
• For books, periodicals, catalogs, and printed material, contact library@MarinersMuseum.org.
• For monetary donations, visit Development.

What will I receive after I donate the material or money?

• A letter acknowledging the donation for your records.
• For special collections, you will receive a copy of the agreement transferring ownership of the material to the Library.
• A bookplate will be placed inside the donation, when appropriate

Library staff cannot give tax advice and are not permitted to appraise the monetary value of the donated material. However they will provide a list of resources for you to obtain appraisal information.