Gifts and Memorials

Gifts and Memorials

The Library Board is grateful for all donations and gifts. It is through the generosity of individuals and groups that areas of library service have been developed and the library collection enriched to an extent that would not otherwise have been possible.

The Library, as a non-profit organization, may issue receipts for donations that may be used for Internal Revenue Service tax deduction purposes. The Library cannot set a value on gifts, this is the responsibility of the donor.

Gifts

All gifts become the sole property of the Library and may be utilized or disposed of in any manner approved by the Board. In certain instances, if the Board deems it to be for the benefit of the Library, terms or restrictions may be placed upon gifts by the donors, and a contract entered into by the Board and the donor.

The addition of gift books and other materials to the Library collection is determined by the same standards of selection that are applied to purchased material. Library staff will review and screen material using such selection criteria as:

1. Timeliness (published within the past 5 years)
2. Scope
3. Relevance to the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library collection policy
4. Appropriateness of content and format
5. Literary or educational quality
6. Physical condition
7. Sufficient availability of title in collection.

Materials not added to the collection may be sold by the Friends of the Main Library or the Branch where the donation was made and the proceeds provide support for the library location receiving the gift. The Library does not provide notification to the donor of whether or not a gift has been placed in the collection.

The donor is responsible for:

1. Delivering gifts to the Library in small boxes or bags that can be easily lifted
2. Completing the gift acknowledgement form that is provided by the Library and may be used for tax purposes.

Memorials

Monetary gifts for the purchase of books or other library material as memorials will be accepted, and appropriate designation and acknowledgment will be made by the Library

Library staff will review titles that are available on a specified subject matter, if requested by the donor, and will select a title within a given price range that is most needed by the Library. These books or other materials become the property of the Library and will be treated as regular library acquisitions.

For memorial gifts, an acknowledgement will be sent to the recipient designated by the donor indicating for whom the gift has been given and the name of the donor. For honor gifts, a notification of the gift and the donor will be sent to the honoree. The donor must provide the Library with names and addresses for notifications.

With a gift of $25.00 or more, a plate will be placed in the purchased book with the names of the donor and honoree. A gift of under $25.00 will go to the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library book fund. Donors and recipients at any level will be listed in the Friends of the Library newsletter.

Memorial funds for special projects or acquisitions may be established if approved by the Library Board.

Books from Local Authors

The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is pleased to encourage local writers by purchasing their printed works. If there is a title to be considered, contact information for the author, a description of the work, and how it can be purchased should be sent to askus [at] hpl [dot] lib [dot] al [dot] us.

Approved Date: 12/16/09