Revised:  Sept. 27, 2006; April 16, 1996

Approved:  June 17, 1988

RELATED POLICIES:       Collection Policy

___________________________________________________________________________

The Whatcom County Library System welcomes donations when they further the goals and policies of the Library.

Gifts of books or other library materials may be considered for the Library’s collection if they meet the general criteria for selection in the Whatcom County Library System’s Collection Policy as established by the Library’s Board of Trustees.

Gifts of equipment or other items will be accepted if they further the goals of the Library and benefit its users.

Gifts of real estate must meet with the approval of the Board of Trustees who may refer the donor to the Whatcom County Library Foundation.

Gifts not chosen for retention will be disposed of in such a manner as will be of greatest benefit to the Library, or, if the donor requests at the time the gift is made, they will be returned.

Gifts of funds may be designated for a particular purpose, providing that the items to be purchased meet the criteria outlined above.  A general rather than a specific designation is encouraged because it will allow library staff to make the most advantageous use of such funds.  A portion of gift funds designated for the purchase of books or other library materials may be used, if necessary, to defray the cost of processing the materials.  Gifts of funds may be accepted to cover the difference between the cost of an anticipated library purchase and a more costly one desired by the donor.

Requests to house gift items in a particular library facility must be approved by the Director, who will consider space limitations and community needs, as well as Library System benefits.  Items must be available for the use of other Whatcom County Library System users to the extent feasible.  Unless otherwise agreed upon between the donor and the Library Director, the items may be replaced or disposed of according to the best judgment of the Library’s staff.  Requests for separate housing, restricted use, or other special considerations will be considered after an evaluation of their impact upon the Library’s operational costs.

Contributions to the Whatcom County Library Foundation or the Whatcom County Friends of the Library Book Endowment will be welcomed.  A donor may designate that endowment funds be used for a particular purpose when such a designation is feasible and meets the criteria outlined above.

The Library cannot assign a dollar value to gift materials for tax purposes, but if a donor provides a specific list of items, the library will sign a statement acknowledging receipt.