Chapter: Collection Development
Policy Number: 4.02
Original Effective Date: 5/17/18
Revision History: 8/13/25
Menomonee Falls Public Library welcomes donations and gifts of many kinds, including bequests, endowments, memorials, in-kind donations, and materials.
Monetary Donations
Tax-deductible contributions in support of the Library may be made to Menomonee Falls Public Library. Parties providing monetary donations may recommend that the funds go towards specific causes, collections, or programs. The Library will attempt to honor the donor’s wishes if the recommendations are consistent with Library policies and the needs of the organization. Monetary donations over $25.00 will be acknowledged in writing to the donor.
Planned Giving
The Library encourages planned giving. Individuals are welcome to name Menomonee Falls Public Library in their estate planning, including wills and trusts. A donor whose gift is matched by their company will be recognized for the total amount of their individual gift plus the matching portion. Endowments, trusts, and diverse or non-cash assets may also be accepted by Menomonee Falls Public Library, pending approval of the Library Director. Those intending to make a bequest to the Library are welcome to contact the Library Director for additional information.
Donation of Library Materials
The Library accepts new or used books and media materials in new or “like new” condition. The Library cannot accept donations of items that are dirty, destroyed, moldy, or otherwise unsafe to handle. Donations of materials are gratefully received with the understanding that the Library may add them to the collection if they meet established standards for purchased materials, with emphasis on currency, physical condition, and need. All donations added to the collection must be available for public use.
The Library Director is authorized to determine guidelines for materials that may or may not be accepted at any given time. Due to quantity of donations, materials donated to the Library cannot be accepted on a conditional basis and items not added to the collection cannot be returned to the donor.
If a donation is received which, after evaluation, cannot be used by the Library, one of the following options will apply: added to the Library’s Book Sale, given to other educational or social service institutions, given to community improvement initiatives such as local Little Free Libraries®, or disposed of in any other manner deemed appropriate.
Donors may request a receipt of materials donated. The donor is responsible for determining the value of any donated items.
Guidelines regarding the donation of rare, local, or historical material can be found in the Maude Shunk Local History Special Collections Management Policy.
In-Kind Donations
Gifts of personal property such as art, antiques, and toys may be accepted based on considerations of need, appropriateness, and maintenance. If accepted, the item becomes the property of the Library, and will not be returned to the donor. There is no obligation for the Library to retain ownership of the item.
The Library generally accepts donations of other materials such as supplies for programs, materials for The Forge, gift cards for program prizes, and more. Guidelines for donations of this nature are determined by the Library Director and may be amended at any time.
Library staff will determine whether to accept in-kind donations on a case-by-case basis.
Disclaimers
- Materials donated to the Library, whether added to the collection or not, become the property of the Library and cannot be returned to the donor. The Library reserves the right to sell or dispose of any gift without notification to the donor if the item no longer serves the purposes of the Library.
- The Library reserves the right to accept or refuse any gifts.
- Trustees, employees, and volunteers may not make any promise to a donor, expect any favoritism from a donor, nor agree to any donor-directed changes in the purpose statement, policies, services, collections, or programs of the Library as a result of a solicitation or contribution, nor should any vendor be chosen based on a state or implied contribution to the Library.
- All donations are by default considered unrestricted and the funds may be expended by authorization of the Director or designee for the purpose that would best help the Library. The Library is not required to accept conditional donations. The Library and donor will discuss any conditional donations to ensure the conditions are acceptable for all parties before decided to accept or decline the donation.
- The Library reserves the right to terminate an existing agreement should conditions arise during the life of the agreement which would result in it conflicting with the best interest of the Library.
- The Library requests that the donor contact a professional advisor in questions of gift valuation and deductibility.
- Donations may not be made in lieu of paying outstanding debts to the Library.