LIBRARY GIFT POLICY
The Courtright Memorial Library is grateful for gifts of all kinds. Monetary gifts are always appreciated, as are books, periodicals (both loose issues and subscriptions), and non-print media. Materials donated to the library have the potential to greatly enhance our current collection. There are, however, some qualifications of which you, as a donor, should be aware.
1. Receipt of Gift Materials. The library does not have sufficient staff to pick up gifts; therefore, we would prefer that all gifts be delivered to the Library. You may bring your donations to the Library’s circulation desk on the main floor or to the back service door of the Library. You will be asked to complete a brief donor information sheet.
2. Inventory of Gift Materials. If you wish to obtain federal tax benefits from your gifts, the Courtright Memorial Library staff will be happy to verify the receipt of a collection of materials provided you have prepared an inventory to accompany the gift. This inventory should contain complete identifying information for each item. Donations received without a donor-supplied inventory will be acknowledged as a simple number of titles/items received.
3. Appraisal of Gift Materials. The Library will not appraise materials for income tax purposes. The value of books, periodicals and non-print materials is dependant on several factors, including age, condition, and market demand. The Library does not possess the staff, resources, or expertise to fairly determine the value of used items. In cases where substantial value is suspected, the donor will need to contact a reputable used or antiquarian book dealer for an appraisal.
4. Evaluation and Disposition of Gift Materials. Each gift will be evaluated to determine its appropriateness for inclusion in the reference, circulating or special collections. This evaluation of gifts is primarily the responsibility of the librarian liaisons who work in consultation with the faculty or with other subject experts as appropriate. Considerations such as age and condition of the gifts and their subject matter are among the criteria used to judge whether an item should be incorporated into the Library’s holdings.
A gift shall be considered suitable for inclusion in the Library collections if it satisfies a current or anticipated curricular demand; is essential for overall collection development; possesses definite research potential; or is deemed prestigious.
At your request, items not retained for the permanent collection can be returned to you. If no prior arrangement has been made, items not placed in the library collections will be given to the Torch and Key Honorary Society Book Sale, with any proceeds benefiting that organization’s annual scholarships for Otterbein students.
The Courtright Memorial Library appreciates the generosity of persons
who wish to improve the library collections, either through donations
of money or of gift items. To avoid any misunderstandings regarding
donations, please contact the Director of the Library for clarification
of policies and procedures.