Tangible Gifts
The Portsmouth Free Public Library Board of Trustees welcomes and appreciates offers of gifts and donations of tangible items to benefit the Library such as, but not limited to, artwork, books, furniture, etc. In accepting or declining any such gift, the Library Director or the Board of Trustees, as a public entity, must always make decisions that are in the best interest of both the Library, its mission, and the community that it serves.
Important aspects of the Library tangible gift policy follow.
Acceptance Criteria:
Acceptance of gifts and donations of materials are reviewed using the same criteria as purchases.
Ownership and Disposition Criteria:
Once accepted, the item(s) becomes the sole property of the Library. The Library Director will determine how to best incorporate such materials into the existing collections.
Items intended as donations to the Library that are not added to the collection may be added to The Book Nook’s ongoing sale stock, discarded, or donated to another non-profit organization.
The proceeds from the sale of donated materials shall accrue directly to the benefit of the Library as determined by the Library Director or the Board of Trustees.
Appraisals:
The Library will not appraise any item donated as libraries are not permitted to set a value on gifts.
Restrictions:
Gifts with special conditions or restrictions are not accepted.
No additional expense should be incurred by the Library such as transport, installation, maintenance, etc., of the gift.
The Library reserves the right to determine the retention, location, cataloging treatment, and other considerations related to the use or disposition of all gifts.
Memorials:
A book may be selected with the loved one’s interest in mind.
As with all items in the library collection, an item with a bookplate may become damaged, lost, or outlive its usefulness and be withdrawn from the collection.
Monetary Gifts:
When the Library receives a monetary gift for the purchase of materials, the library staff must make the selection with the general selection principles set forth in this policy.