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El Camino College Library Services Policies: Book Donations

ECC Library Book Donation Policy

Generally*, the ECC Library has a standing policy that we don’t accept most book donations.  

The reasons for not accepting book donations includes, but are not limited to the following: 

  • Most donations are not relevant to the needs of the current ECC needs  

  • Too many requests for donated materials, particularly from the general community 

  • Not enough storage space for multiple donations 

  • Straining the availability of staff to process, evaluate, store, and manage donations 

  • Poor book conditions with potential to spread mold and pests 

  • Outdated materials  

  • Donor demands on the way materials are utilized in the collection 

  • Low “keep” rate, below 5% get selected for inclusion to the collection 


*Student Book Donations

There are occasional exceptions to this rule. For example, students that want to donate a couple of books that are in good condition. We want to encourage philanthropic thinking, so we may accept an item if deemed to be useful to the current needs of our collection. This should be an exception and not a rule for book donations.  


Suggestions for other possible book donation locations could be referred to institutions with robust book sale programs, including: 

  • Torrance Public Library 

  • Redondo Beach Public Library 

  • Palos Verdes Public Library