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Make a gift by will

Bequests

A bequest to the National Library benefits the community through a gift for the future and leaves you free to enjoy and use your assets during your lifetime.

The gifts we receive from individuals help the National Library to ensure that its collections are comprehensive and accessible. This support is appreciated and valued by the Library and benefits the whole community.  

If you decide to leave a gift to the National Library through a bequest, it is important that your Will is clear and concise, to ensure that your original intentions are followed. Brief information about bequests is provided here as a general guide only; however, the Library is happy to consult with you or your adviser on wording or details. We do recommend that you consult with your legal adviser before making any decisions regarding the eventual distribution of your estate.

What kind of bequest?

There are a variety of ways to benefit the National Library through a bequest:

A fixed cash amount

A specific amount of money can be given. This does not allow for changes in your circumstances or for inflation.

A percentage pledge

A percentage of your estate can be left to the National Library. This option allows your estate to be shared between a number of beneficiaries without identifying specific amounts of money or specific items. As your estate grows or is depleted by inflation the original intentions of your Will are not affected and there is a reduced need to regularly update your Will.

Gifts of property (including collection items)

Stocks, bonds, real estate, insurance policies, antiques, jewellery or any other realisable asset can be included as gifts in your Will. If the gift includes books, art works, manuscript material, maps or other items intended for the Library’s collection it is helpful to consult with the National Library about whether these might duplicate items already held, and whether they comply with the Library’s Collection Policy.

A residuary gift

The National Library can be nominated to receive the balance of your estate after providing for your family and close friends.

A contingent bequest

The National Library can be appointed as an alternate beneficiary. That is, if the person or organisation named in your Will does not survive you then the Library can be named in their place.

If you do decide to support the National Library through a bequest, the following are suitable forms of wording for inclusion in a Will:

‘I give (proportion of estate or dollar amount or the residue of my estate) free of all taxes to the National Library of Australia, Parkes in the Australian Capital Territory for its use and benefit absolutely.’

‘I give (clearly describe item, work of art, manuscript etc) free of all taxes to the National Library of Australia, Parkes in the Australian Capital Territory for its use and benefit absolutely.’

‘I give (proportion of estate or dollar amount or residue of my estate or clearly described item) to (names of primary beneficiaries) but if (all primary beneficiaries) predecease me, then to the National Library of Australia, Parkes in the Australian Capital Territory. This gift to the Library will be free of all taxes.

Recognition

Knowing that the National Library is included as a beneficiary in your Will is helpful for us. We do understand that a Will is a very personal and confidential document and should you notify us of your intention to make a gift through your Will, your privacy will be respected. Any notification to us will be kept in the strictest confidence.

Some benefactors who intend to make a bequest to the Library may allow us to recognise their generous gesture during their lifetime, through inclusion on an Honour Board or our website. Others may prefer to remain anonymous.

If an intended gift is of a very substantial nature, you may wish to discuss with us the creation of a specific fund, a named fellowship or other significant lasting acknowledgement of your appreciation of the National Library. To ensure the Library is able to fulfil the intention of your bequest, we can offer a Deed of Agreement where details of your intent are set out.

How to let us know of your intention

If you would like us to know about your intention to make a gift to the National Library through your Will, please either call or email the Development Office or download and complete the form and forward to the Development Office. Contact details for the Development Office can be obtained by clicking on the Development contact link on the right hand side of this page.

National Library of Australia Bequest Program Form