Gifts to Libraries Policy and Procedures

Issued: 6/1992
Updated: 09/2023

Mission:

The Mission of Monterey County Free Libraries is to bring ideas, inspiration, information and enjoyment to our community.

Policy Statement:

The Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) welcomes donations of books and other materials that serve the mission of the library system.  All gifts are screened by the professional staff for their appropriateness to the Library’s mission.  The Library reserves the right to accept only those gifts that the staff determines will be of value to the Library and to the community.

A donation made to the Library, or any branch or program of the Library, becomes the sole property of MCFL. The Library reserves the right to use, designate use of, and dispose of that property.

The Library reserves the right to decline any gifts. Items received will be handled by designated staff as deemed appropriate, including, but not limited to, adding the items to the collection, sending them to other agencies, including them in fundraising events for the Library, or disposing of them.

Because of space limitations, sufficiency of copies, and/or unsuitability for the collection, the Library cannot accept some types of items, including, but not limited to, the following: outdated or inappropriate material, used textbooks, Readers’ Digest Condensed books, old encyclopedias, and books in poor condition.

The Library also accepts donations of goods, such as furniture, equipment, supplies, art, etc., reserving the right to accept only those items that the Library deems to be useful to operations.

When accepting artwork that may become permanent or semi-permanent fixtures in the Library, like murals, sculpture, etc., the project or item will be evaluated by an ad hoc art committee, who will make their recommendation to the County Librarian. Committee members will be designated by the County Librarian and will consist of Library staff and/or community members. The County Librarian is responsible for the final decision.  

Donations to the local history collection/archive, require prior approval by the library archive specialist, in conjunction with the Library Director, and if accepted, require legal transfer, deed of gift agreement, or another official acknowledgement from the donor.

Monetary donations to the Monterey County Free Libraries are welcome.  The donor may designate a Library branch, program, or area to which the gift is directed. Monetary donations may be made directly to MCFL or through the Foundation for Monterey County Free Libraries. Prospective donors of large monetary or other gifts should be referred to the Library Director.

Upon receipt of donated goods, Library staff shall offer the donor a completed and signed Receipt for Donated Goods form. In accordance with IRS regulations, the donor should establish his/her own estimated value or have the item(s) appraised.