Supporting USC Libraries

WELCOME

The USC Libraries are the true heart of the university, supporting excellence in every school, in every department at USC. 

So much more than books on a shelf, the USC Libraries acquire rare books and manuscripts, create thought-provoking exhibits, develop collections to support teaching, research, and creative practice, and provide services and digital resources to the entire USC academic community. USC Libraries provide access to information and ideas in a way that builds a community of critical consumers of information and helps develop engaged world citizens.

Your gift to USC Libraries supports the discovery, creation, and preservation of knowledge for all USC students, faculty, researchers, and creative artists.  You can support USC Libraries in several ways:

 

USC Libraries Annual Fund (click here to make a gift)

A gift to the Annual Fund supports every student, faculty member, and researcher at USC.  Gifts provide unrestricted funding where most needed such as the acquisition of books and research materials, cataloguing books and collections, and new programming and events.  Gifts can be designated to support a specific library.  Gifts of $10,000 or more are recognized with an engraved plaque on a vintage card catalogue drawer in the Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library.  

 

Student Programming and Support (click here to make a gift)  

Gifts support library programs that help students succeed in USC’s rigorous academic environment, including free loans of laptops, classroom textbooks, and study materials.  Funds also support information literacy workshops, assistance with research, and technology tutorials that help bridge the learning challenges that may exist for an increasingly multicultural and diverse student population.

 

Adopt a Book (click here to view available books)

The first gift of rare books to the USC Libraries was in 1911, making USC the earliest institutional collector of rare books in Los Angeles.  Today, USC Libraries holds nearly 6 million titles – some dating as far back as the 14th Century.  Your gift to the Adopt-a-Book program supports the conservation and preservation of these books, while also providing an opportunity to honor the memory, or celebrate the lives of your friends and family.  Donors who adopt  books are recognized with a digital bookplate in the USC Libraries’ online catalogue with the wording of your choice.  Visit our Adopted Books page to view previously adopted books.

 

Lost LA Curriculum Project  (click here to make a gift)

The Lost LA Curriculum Project is an initiative to create K-12 curriculum materials based on episodes from the Emmy-winning “Lost LA” documentary series, created and produced by USC Libraries and KCET.  The series uses archival materials and personal interviews to highlight lesser-known aspects of Southern California history and culture. The open-source online curriculum allows teachers to download the episodes, as well as detailed lesson plans and classroom activities, aligned with state standards, that support further investigation of each topic.  Gifts will support the development of additional lesson plans on new topics that help students learn more about their state.

 

Libraries Naming Opportunities

A naming gift is the highest honor a donor can bestow upon USC Libraries.  It provides a special opportunity to honor a family member, loved one, or your own legacy, and demonstrates your support of USC Libraries for generations to come.  For more information, please contact USC Libraries’ Development Office: Linda.Zukowski@usc.edu; (213) 821-2090. 

 

Planned Gift

When you make a planned gift to USC Libraries, you have tremendous flexibility in determining how the funds will be used, as well as many methods for making your planned gift.  Planned gifts offer you an opportunity to support USC Libraries while creating income for life, claiming tax deductions and/or reducing estate taxes.  For more information, please contact USC Libraries Development Office: Linda.Zukowski@usc.edu; (213) 821-2090. 

 

Donations of Books and Collections

The USC Libraries are temporarily pausing acceptance of unsolicited books and other collections until further notice.

We appreciate your thinking of us. However, please keep in mind that when the pause ends, in most cases we are rarely able to accept unsolicited items. You might also consider organizations like Better World Books or Pick Up Please, or your local public library may accept donations of used books.