Gifts Policy
 adopted January 11, 1999

        Rationale:

The Appleton Public Library believes that private initiative has an important role in extending and enriching the services of the library.  The Library Board establishes this policy to set guidelines for accepting gifts.

1) Conditions under which gifts will be accepted:

• Gifts for the library should be of such nature that usage of them falls within the Mission Statement of the Library.
• Gifts should be viewed as an addition or supplement to, not a reduction of, the operating budget of the library.
• Staff will routinely determine if gifts are acceptable under this policy.  The Board will routinely vote approval on grants from the Appleton Library Foundation or other sources.  Gifts resulting in ongoing costs to the institution such as staffing or special maintenance will require special Board approval for acceptance.
• Gifts should be complete and may be refused if the expenditure of library funds is necessary to make the gift item usable.
• Gifts of cash, real property, stocks, trusts, etc. will be accepted.  Such resources may be used to purchase materials in keeping with the library's collection development plan, or to provide services in keeping with the library's mission.  The purchase of specifically identified titles with such funds cannot be guaranteed, nor does the donor have the right of approval of titles before purchase.  However, donors are encouraged to recommend subject areas.
• Depending on the wishes of the donors, some donations may be referred to the Appleton Library Foundation, the Friends of the Appleton Library, the FOAL Endowment, or the Frank P. Young Scholarship fund.
• Gifts of art objects, personal property, etc will be accepted if such items have a use in the library.  If an item can not be used, the library reserves the right to sell the item and use the proceeds of the sale for purposes in keeping with the Library's Mission Statement.  Books will also be accepted with the understanding that the material may or may not be added to the collection.

2) Disposal of gifts:

The library reserves the right at all times to dispose of any gift without notification to the donor, if in the judgement of the staff, such item no longer serves the purposes of the library.
 

3) Recognition of gifts:

Library bookplates will be placed in any library materials purchased with gift funds, format permitting.  Programs and services made possible by gift funds will include recognition of such benefactors in their supporting literature.  Recognition of gifts may be made through the library's newsletter; major donations may also be announced in the local newspaper.  The Appleton Library Foundation has distinct donor recognition mechanisms.
 

4) Solicitation of gifts:

The library will work with the Appleton Library Foundation and Friends of the Appleton Public Library to develop appropriate methods for the solicitation of gifts.
 

Appleton Public Library / 225 N. Oneida St. / Appleton, Wisconsin 54911-4780  (920) 832-6170
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   Latest revision 4/3/2000