The Old Bridge Public Library encourages the interest and involvement of citizens and organizations through bequests, trusts and donations of monetary or other tangible assets for Library purposes. It is understood that special gifts and bequests should not take the place of public support but should enable the Library to provide and enhance services and collections in ways not possible within current municipal and State operating budgets.
The Old Bridge Public Library welcomes gifts of money, books and other materials, equipment, works of art, documents, photographs, or property of any kind which promotes the mission of the Library. The Library reserves the right to refuse any gift that the Board of Library Trustees, in its sole discretion, deems to be not in the best interests of the Library to accept.
If a gift is accepted by the Library, the gift shall be final; no restrictions on the Library’s ownership, possession, use, or disposition of the gift shall be effective other than restrictions approved by the express vote of the Board of Library Trustees and memorialized in writing.
Monetary gifts
The Library welcomes gifts of cash or stock. If the gift is used to purchase library materials, Library staff will try to accommodate the donor’s subject or title preferences. A plate with the donor’s name will be affixed to the item(s) purchased. Because the Friends of the Old Bridge Public Library have a 501(c)3 status granted by the Internal Revenue Service and gifts to that organization are income tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, monetary gifts should be made payable to the Friends of the Old Bridge Public Library.
Memorial/honoree gifts
The Library welcomes monetary gifts for purchase of materials for collections given in memory or recognition of individuals or organizations. Memorial gifts should be made payable to the Friends of the Old Bridge Public Library. Whenever possible, the Library staff will choose items which accommodate the donor’s subject or title preferences. The name(s) of the honoree(s) will be listed on a bookplate affixed to the material purchased.
Real estate or other personal property
The Library will accept gifts of real property that either support or could be sold to support the mission of the Library. Such offers will be handled by the Director, who in consultation with the Board of Library Trustees, will determine the suitability of the gift and the terms of acceptance compatible with the Library’s mission and policies, the donor’s intent and applicable laws.
Art, furniture and decorative objects
As a rule, gifts of art objects and furniture shall be of local interest to the community, of professional quality, well-executed and in good condition. As with all other gifts, art objects will be accepted only with the donor’s full agreement that the Library has the right to handle or dispose of the gift in the best interests of the Library. Because of the Library’s limited display and storage areas and focus on primary mission as a library and not a museum, potential donors are requested to discuss these gifts with the Director and the Board of Library Trustees. No gifts posing a danger or threat to staff and users of the Library will be accepted nor gifts which require extensive, regular special care or conservation.
Valuation
The Library will provide a timely, written acknowledgement of the receipt of gifts to the donor, and if desired, to a recognized individual or organization. Acknowledgement of all donations will be noted on the donor page of the Old Bridge Public Library’s web site. Income tax regulations leave the determination of the gift’s monetary value to the donor. Donors must have an appraisal of their gifts for tax purposes completed prior to donation.
Future disposition of gifts
The Old Bridge Public Library is used extensively by the community and sustains property losses through theft, mutilation and ordinary wear. Resources with obsolete and/or misleading information may be discarded with time. The Library cannot guarantee that any gift will be part of the collection or furnishings permanently. Excess articles may first be offered to other Township entities, given to the Friends for sale or discarded.
With thanks to the Flint Public Library, New York Public Library, Middlesex Public Library and the Ephrata Public Library.
Accepted by the Old Bridge Public Library Board of Library Trustees: March 11, 2015
