Gifts
to the Library
The Board of Trustees [the "Board"] of the Hinsdale Public Library
actively encourages gifts and contributions which will help the
library better serve the needs of the community. All donations
and gifts to the library are subject to applicable Illinois statutes
as well as the library's existing policies and guidelines, including
those relating to the selection of-and provision of access to-books
and other resources. The library, through the Board or the Board's
delegated authority, makes the final decision on the acceptance,
use or other disposition of gifts and also reserves the right to
decide any conditions of display, housing or access. The library
is granted unconditional ownership of each gift.
1. Acceptance and Recognition of Gifts
A• Gifts of Books and Other
Library Resources : The
Library Director is authorized to act for the Library in accepting
or declining offers of gifts in the form of books, recordings and
other library materials or resources, including gifts of this type
which are offered through such agencies as the Friends of the
Hinsdale Public Library . The Library Director, in accordance
with existing library policies and guidelines, may exercise discretion
concerning which materials shall be retained for the library's
own collection. In accepting gifts of books and other library materials
or resources, the Library Director will decide whether or not use
of recognition gift-plates is appropriate.
B. Monetary Gifts : The Board will accept
donations of money and will consider the wishes of donors when
deciding the use of such gifts. Specific recognition of such gifts
[by plates affixed to equipment and furniture or by naming areas
of the library for donors] may be made only by majority vote of
the trustees present at a duly convened Board meeting. Policy on
recognition of monetary gifts is:
Gifts of $10,000 or More : Individuals,
organizations and businesses who make cumulative gifts of $10,000
or more are considered "Major Contributors" and
shall be recognized with permanent individual wall plaques prominently
displayed in the library. [At the discretion of the Library Director,
such gifts may also be recognized with book-plates.]
Gifts of $1,000 to $9,999 : Individuals,
organizations and businesses who make cumulative gifts of $1,000
to $9,999 shall be listed jointly as "Benefactors" on
a permanent wall plaque prominently displayed in the library. [At
the discretion of the Library Director, such gifts may also be
recognized with book-plates.]
Gifts of $100 or More : All individuals,
organizations and businesses who make cumulative gifts of $100
or more during a given calendar year shall be listed jointly on
a yearly "Roll of Honor" plaque which
will be prominently displayed in the library until it is replaced
by the subsequent year's plaque and removed to another public or
semi-public location in the library where it will be placed on
long-term display. [At the discretion of the Library Director,
such gifts may also be recognized with book-plates.]
Gifts Under $100 : Gifts under $100 are recognized
with book-plates at the discretion of the Library Director.
Individuals, Families and Other Entities in Whose
Honor or Memory Gifts are Received : All individuals,
families and other entities in whose honor or memory gifts
are received during a given calendar year shall be listed on
a yearly plaque which will be prominently displayed in the
library until it is replaced by the subsequent year's plaque
and removed to another public or semi-public location in the
library where it will be placed on long-term display.
C. Gifts in Kind : Gifts of furniture, paintings,
statuary and other articles may be accepted or declined by the
Board with advice and counsel from the Library Director. Any conditions
attaching to the proposed gift, including-but not necessarily limited
to-the type of recognition provided and the location, disposition,
handling or display of the article, will be considered by the Board.
Any such conditions, which the Board regards to be inappropriate
or impractical, may provide a basis for rejection of the gift or
for further negotiation with the donor.
D. Gifts of Securities : Marketable securities
received by the library received by the library as gifts may be
accepted by the Board. Such securities will be sold as soon as
practicable at the market rate, and the net proceeds used as directed
by the donor, subject to the policies outlined above, or if received
without conditions, may be used as approved by the Board. Gifts
offered to the library consisting of securities, which are not
readily marketable will be submitted to the Board for a decision
as to acceptability.
2. Valuation of Non-Monetary Gifts
While the deemed value of non-monetary gifts may be a factor for
consideration, neither the library staff, nor the Board will issue
a written or verbal statement of monetary value to the donor. Where
recognition is dependent upon the value of a gift-whether a gift
in kind, a book or collection of books or other type of non-monetary
gift-an independent, qualified appraisal may be initiated by the
prospective donor and at the donor's expense. As a courtesy, the
library staff may offer donors, at the latter's request, pricing
source materials or list a list of appraisers. In the absence of
an appraisal, and for purposes of donor recognition as provided
for above only, the Board will exercise its discretion in establishing
a gift's value. The Library Director, or a staff member designated
by the Director, may provide, on request, a letter of acknowledgment
to a donor describing the gift and its apparent condition.
3. The Foundation Committee
The Foundation Committee of the Board of Trustees will act as
liaison with the Hinsdale Library Foundation with respect to gifts
made to the Foundation for the benefit of the library and with
respect to the recognition of such gifts. It is authorized to act
for the Board in accordance with this policy, reporting its actions
to the Board monthly. The Board, by a majority of the trustees
present and voting, may overrule actions of the Committee. The
Library Director will serve as staff advisor to the Committee.
