The St. Mary’s County Library is pleased to receive selected gifts. Once given, gifts become the property of the Library. The Library reserves the right to accept or reject any or all gifts. The Library reserves the right to decide on the conditions of display, location of, and means of access to the gift materials. The Library does not provide valuation of gifts. The Library reserves the right to deaccession all gifts, including donating gifted materials to the Friends of St Mary’s County Library.
Gifts may be granted in several ways: 1) an endowment fund, 2) a one-time cash donation, 3) special collections, 4) equipment, furnishings, and other 3-dimensional objects. Gifts may be given without restriction or they may be given for a specific purpose. When gifts are given without restriction, the Library will make the final decision on use or other disposition of the gift. Gifts for a specific purpose require prior authorization from the Library Director. Requests for special handling must be made at the time of donation.
Types of Gifts:
- Endowments – Endowment gifts will be added to an endowment fund held in an interest-bearing investment account. This fund will be used “…to obtain essential communications media: books, periodicals, computer hardware and/or software, films, videotapes, etc….” and “shall not be used to correct budget imbalances or buy non-media-oriented equipment or supplies.” (Board of Trustees Resolution, 11/17/87). Endowment funds may be used for non-maintenance library enhancements: for example, art, murals, furnishings, building additions or modifications (such as adding a fireplace), or grounds beautifications. The final decision for the disposition of endowment funds rests with the Board of Library Trustees. Endowments may instead be given to the St. Mary’s County Library Foundation.
- One-time cash donations – Cash donations may be made to a specific branch library or to the system as a whole. In the case of gifts to a specific branch, the Branch Manager may accept the gifts. Unless the donor indicates the kind of items he/she prefers to be purchased, purchasing decisions will be made by the Branch Manager for amounts up to $5,000. In case of gifts over $5,000 to a specific branch, purchasing decisions will be made by the Branch Manager and the Director. In the case of gifts to the system in general, the Director will accept the gifts. Unless the donor indicates the kind of items he/she prefers to be purchased, the gift will be added to the endowment fund or added to the Library’s donation fund. Donations may instead be given to the St. Mary’s County Library Foundation.
- Special Collections – The Library does not accept donations of books or media, with the exception of certain special collections, defined as larger groups of materials dedicated to a theme, genre, time period, or local geographic location. All special collections submitted for consideration are evaluated in accordance with the Library’s Materials Selection Policy, including condition and the cost and availability of cataloging. Other materials donations should be made to the Friends of the St. Mary’s County Library at their location. Details about donating to the Friends may be found on the Library’s website. Inquiries about donating special collections may be directed to a Branch Manager or the Library Director.
- Plaques, furnishings, artwork and other 3-dimensional objects – Memorials and gifts in the form of plaques, furnishings, artwork and other 3-dimensional objects are subject to approval. Gifts of trees, shrubs or plants require space and maintenance considerations. Donors wishing to make these types of gifts must obtain prior approval from the Branch Manager or Library Director, who may seek final approval from the Board of Library Trustees.
