My father had a Ph.D. in mathematics. He was a consummate mathematician and enjoyed reading about all topics related to math. He passed away a couple of years ago. I have yet to find a suitable place to donate the many theoretical math books he had in his library. I want these books to get a second life by being read by those who would understand and value their content. (I could provide a list of titles if that would be helpful.) Any guidance from this forum would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
8
-
13$\begingroup$ Which country are you located in? This may change the nature of the answer. I can assure you many mathematicians value such books very highly! $\endgroup$– Carl-Fredrik Nyberg BroddaCommented Oct 2, 2022 at 15:42
-
5$\begingroup$ I'd be willing to take them! $\endgroup$– mathworker21Commented Oct 2, 2022 at 15:42
-
4$\begingroup$ see also mathoverflow.net/q/404161/11260 and mathoverflow.net/q/9793/11260 $\endgroup$– Carlo BeenakkerCommented Oct 2, 2022 at 15:47
-
5$\begingroup$ The American Institute of Mathematics is building up a library. Contact Brian Conrey at [email protected] $\endgroup$– StoppleCommented Oct 2, 2022 at 15:52
-
2$\begingroup$ When Alf van der Poorten passed away, leaving a collection of about 1,200 books, we found it harder than expected to give them away. The library at Macquarie University (where Alf worked) at first only wanted three of the books – they said the rest were already available at other Australian universities. We eventually convinced them to take about half the books, the ones they didn't already have. The Math Department at Macquarie had no space for the rest. But MATRIX matrix-inst.org.au/about-us was happy to take them. (continued) $\endgroup$– Gerry MyersonCommented Oct 2, 2022 at 22:41
|
Show 3 more comments
4 Answers
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
4
Most large universities have a library that could take them, and where students could find them and "give them a second life." If the library doesn't want them, many math departments have a common room with a miniature library inside. You could ask the chair of the department (or the department's administrative assistant) if that common room has space for more books. Again, this way they get to a place where mathematicians and math students can find them.
As already pointed out by Stopple in the comments, AIM is another option, but then you might incur shipping costs. Another option, mentioned in the thread What to do with antique math books? linked by Carlo Beenakker, is the Internet Archive which might want them, to scan them to put them online. But, again, they might not cover shipping. For details, see: How do I make a physical donation to the Internet Archive?.
I think focusing on your nearest large university is the way to go.
answered Oct 2, 2022 at 17:29
-
7$\begingroup$ Even if there is not an official departmental library, many math departments have tables where e.g. faculty who are retiring leave books they don't want to be claimed by grad students and other faculty. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 2, 2022 at 17:36
-
5$\begingroup$ I am located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. I will try AIM. Then ASU (who I do not think takes books). Then NMSU. Then a few of the other institutional options before I send to mathworker21 who has kindly offered to take the books as well. Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I will post again when I find the books their new home. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 4, 2022 at 2:54
-
$\begingroup$ @SimoneBerg Did you finally manage to find these books a good new home? $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 27, 2023 at 1:42
-
$\begingroup$ @Hvjurthuk Not yet. Too many other distractions that have taken priority. (It will take me hours and hours to type up a list of all the books and I just don't have the time right now.) Thank you. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 28, 2023 at 2:17
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
The London Mathematical Society has a programme "Mentoring African Research in Mathematics". The main people involved are listed at https://www.lms.ac.uk/MARMBoard. In particular, the chair is Frank Neumann (https://le.ac.uk/people/frank-neumann). I suspect that they know of many places that would welcome books but have few resources to buy them. Of course, someone would have to pay for shipping, which might or might not be an issue.
answered Oct 8, 2022 at 13:29
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
In Brazil, people are used to do as most people here suggested: find a public or university library that could receive your dad's collection. It would be interesting observing a trade-off, since you may want the collection to be as well care as possible, while having the maximum impact on the community it will serve. A public university library would be the primary option here, specially those that are more inclusive and/or suffer from a lack of resources to assemble their collection.
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
I too live in the greater Phoenix area and as a member of the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix (official building is in Mesa), I'm sure they'd happily take them off your hands. There is a library at the center as well as the option to donate to the "Little Free Library" they host.
