Your generosity honors one person and helps the entire community.  

Consider a monetary gift for books, equipment, or a donation to the Friends of the Library.

Contact the library for more information on charitable giving,
use a memorial envelope available at the library entrance or circulation desk, or see the library's POLICY FOR GIFTS TO THE LIBRARY below. Memorial donations are listed in the monthly library newsletter.

POLICY FOR GIFTS TO THE LIBRARY

General. Marshall Public Library is grateful for gifts, and its collection has been enriched by donations of materials as well as contributions. Through donors, the library has been able to acquire materials which could not have been purchased otherwise. The library staff can supply, upon request, a list of needed materials for consideration by the donor.

Donation of Books and Audio Visual Materials. In accepting a gift of materials, the library reserves the privilege of deciding whether items donated should be added to the collection. Out of the many books and other materials which citizens so generously give, a considerable proportion can be used. Some cannot, because any library material, though of value in itself, may be: (1) a duplicate of an item of which the library already has a sufficient number; (2) outdated--interesting but not of sufficient present reference or circulating value to the library; and/or (3) in poor condition--which would not justify the expense of processing it, i.e. cataloging and preparing it for circulation. The material will be judged by the same standards of selection as those applied to the purchase of new materials. Marshall Public Library accepts gift books with the understanding that books which are useful to the library collection will be retained and other books disposed of in whatever manner the librarian deems best. The Library necessarily reserves the right to interfile gifts with other collections on the same subject, so that all collections are organized and classified according to library standards for the best public service.

Gift Book Program.  The Library welcomes monetary contributions specifically for book purchases in memorial to or in honor of named individuals.  In order that the Library can properly honor the generosity, a special form to record the information is used and should be completed.
 
Donation of Art Objects and Other Types of Materials. Although such gifts are usually welcomed and valued, final decision on their acceptance rests with the Library Director and the Board of Library Trustees.

Donations—Others, e.g. Monetary. The Library welcomes cash contributions, gifts of real property, stocks, and bonds. It is our custom for any gift specified for books to be used by the library in this way, while unspecified monetary donations will be used by the Friends of the Library for materials, equipment, programming, or a project which is acceptable to the donor. Although it is unlikely, there may be an occasion in which the restrictions set by the donor make it impossible for the library to accept the contribution. All donations are subject to the approval of the Library Director with the backing of the Library Board of Library Trustees.

Recognition of Gifts. For memorial books to the library, the library may place within the book the name of the donor, if desired.  Accepted gifts will be honored in our gift remembrance book.

Use of Gifts. All gifts are accepted with the understanding that it may someday be necessary that they be sold or disposed of in the best interest of the library. The Library cannot commit itself to perpetually housing a donation.

Income Tax Statements. The library cannot appraise the value of a donation of materials or art. It will, however, issue the donor a letter acknowledging the donation. It is the donor's decision whether he or she will determine the value of the donation or utilize an independent appraiser.  While the gifts to the Library as a governmental unit qualify as tax deductible, the donor will have to consider the particular circumstances of his or her situation for the specific effect.   

Restriction. No donation can be accepted unless it is given to the library without restrictions unless the Board of Library Trustees has specifically adopted an agreement to do so. All gifts may be used, sold, or disposed of in the best interest of the library. All donations are accepted only if, in the opinion of the Library Director and the Board of Library Trustees, they are in the best interests of the library.

Forms. A Gift Agreement Form must be signed by the donor and approved by the Library Director for unrestricted gifts and the Board of Library Trustees for restricted gifts.  The Memorial and Honor Book Gifts Form should be completed by the donor who wishes to donate one of these items to the library.

(Adopted 10/14/09)