Collection Development
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library accepts collections of unique and original primary-source materials that document the life, career, and time period of John F. Kennedy. Our primary interest is in original documents, manuscripts, photographs, sound recordings, and moving images created or maintained by John F. Kennedy, members of his administration, his immediate family, and close associates.
For information about our general collection development policy, see our Collecting Policy and Procedures. See also our Archives brochure, which includes topics highlighted in our holdings.
The Library’s collections include the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) Collection and we accept the personal papers and born digital oral histories of Peace Corps Volunteers who served during the Kennedy Administration (1961-1963). For details, please see the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Collection Development Policy.
The Library also houses the world’s largest collection of Ernest Hemingway materials. For more information about the materials we accept into our Hemingway holdings, please refer to the Ernest Hemingway Collection Development Policy.
Donating Your Materials
All donation offers much be made through this Donation Offer Form. Please continue reading for instructions on how to make a donation offer. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below for a list of materials we generally do not accept.
If you are interested in donating materials, we ask that you please complete this Donation Offer Form in its entirety and provide a detailed description of the material you wish to donate, the quantity of the material, and your contact information. The donation request will not be considered if the form, including the description, is incomplete. Please note that the Library does not acquire very small donations (e.g., a single document or several photographs) unless they are truly unique or of a singular historical value.
All donation offers are handled during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) and must be reviewed by Library staff before they can be accepted. A member of the Acquisitions team will respond to your offer within thirty business days if the material you wish to donate meets our collection development guidelines.
Unsolicited donations will be disposed of without notice. Potential donors must complete the online Donation Offer Form and receive approval from Library staff before sending any items to the Library.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What don’t you accept?
A: We generally do not accept the following categories of materials:
- Newspapers, journals, magazine, books, or personal libraries;
- Tributes, poems, songs, or other personal reminiscences;
- Mass-produced materials such as inauguration invitations and campaign buttons;
- Photocopies or digital facsimiles of original materials (including those from other archives);
- Personal scrapbooks (including news clipping scrapbooks);
- Materials that are too fragile to service to researchers or require extensive conservation; materials that have mold, mildew, pest, or other potentially harmful infestations; or organic materials.
Q: How much is my material worth? Is it authentic?
A: As a federal institution, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library cannot purchase materials, provide monetary appraisals or assessments, or recommend individual appraisers. If you would like to have your materials appraised, you must do so prior to donating them to the Library. The following websites provide the names of certified appraisers throughout the country:
http://www.appraisers.org/find-an-appraiser
http://www.appraisersassoc.org/
Q: Do I need to sign anything?
A: We may ask you to complete a formal deed of gift or to provide a written statement confirming your intent to donate the materials. We do not accept materials for temporary loan or deposit, and materials donated to the Kennedy Library become the physical property of the United States. Donors are also expected to transfer to the United States all copyrights they hold in the materials, making them public domain.
Q: How will I know you received my donation?
A: All pre-approved donations will be acknowledged formally upon receipt, usually by letter or email. Please note that unsolicited donations will not be acknowledged.
Q: Will my donation be exhibited?
A: We cannot guarantee that donations will be placed on display and we are unable to accept donations requiring that stipulation.
Q: Still have questions?
A: Email the acquisitions team at Acquisitions.Kennedy@nara.gov.