| Abstract: | ABSTRACT Rare materials collected by individuals, in the past and in our own time, when given to research libraries become important public assets that, as cultural heritage collections, lend distinction to the institutions that receive them and benefit education and scholarship enormously. What motivates collectors to become donors is complex. Institutions seeking such gifts must consider a number of issues and activities when embarking on (or maintaining) an active program seeking gifts-in-kind, including the librarian's personality, development models, institutional realities, challenges (negotiating, tax issues, deeds of gift), headaches (difficult donors, deposits, saying “No”), fulfilling obligations, and de-accessioning gifts. |
