GIFT POLICY

Guidelines for Acceptance of New/Used Materials

Thank you for thinking of the North Smithfield Public Library and offering to donate new or used materials for our collection or the Friends of the Library book sales.

We are unable to accept used textbooks and encyclopedia sets older than five years, Reader's Digest condensed books, or specialized collections supporting the professions because we are not able to incorporate them into our collection nor do they sell at book sales.

Because of health concerns, we are unable to accept materials which harbor mold spores from being stored in cellars or garages.

Despite limited staff time, we welcome the donation of older nonfiction and novels (particularly out-of print material in good condition ) with which to replace well-worn or missing library titles.

Gift Policy of the North Smithfield Public Library

The North Smithfield Public Library welcomes gifts of new and used books, audio recordings, videos, and similar materials. Items will be added to the collection in accordance with the selection policy of the library. Once donated, items become the property of the North Smithfield Public Library and may be given to other libraries, the Friends of the North Smithfield Public Library, local non-profit agencies, sold, traded, or discarded if they are not added to the collection. Donated items will not be returned to the donor and the library will not accept any item that is not an outright gift.

The library will acknowledge receipt of donated items but is unable to set fair market or appraisal values. It is recommended that the donor make a list of items donated. If items are being donated to obtain a tax benefit, it is the donor's responsibility to establish fair market value or obtain expert assistance in establishing any value. The library also reserves the right to decide when a gift added to the collection must be withdrawn.

Monetary gifts, bequests, and memorial or honorary contributions are particularly welcome. Funds donated will be used to purchase items in accordance with the selection policy of the library. Books, videos, and other materials purchased with bequests and memorial or honorary contributions will be identified with special donor plates whenever possible. If requested, notification of memorial or honorary contributions will be sent to the family of the person being recognized. Suggestions for subject areas or other areas of interest are welcome and will be followed to the extent possible.

Acceptance of donations of equipment, real estate, stock, artifacts, works of art, collections, etc., will be determined by the library board based on their suitability to the purposes and needs of the library, laws and regulations that govern the ownership of the gift, and the library's ability to cover insurance and maintenance costs associate with the donation.

Approved by Board of Trustees on ( date)