Donation Policy

Anoka County Library will accept gifts that enhance the ability of the library to fulfill its mission. All gifts offered must be formally approved in compliance with this policy. All gifts valued over $5,000 must receive final approval by the Anoka County Board of Commissioners.

Monetary donations may be made to honor or memorialize a friend, family member or event.  Undesignated donations of cash will be used to purchase materials or resources most needed by the library.

The library does not accept donations of books, movies, magazines, or other items to be circulated as part of the library collection.  Please use the return bins only for library materials and do not leave materials meant for donation at the library.

The Library may accept gifts of money to purchase library equipment or furnishings.

When accepted, all equipment or furnishings become the property of Anoka County to be used solely at the discretion of the Anoka County Library Advisory Board consistent with statute. Conditions may not be imposed upon their acceptance without the specific agreement of the Library Advisory Board at the time the gift is made.

Anoka County Library does not actively solicit art donations but will accept those donations that enhance its mission. The Anoka County Library Advisory Board will have final responsibility for acceptance of all art donations that are valued up to $5,000.

Donations of art objects will be referred to a committee comprised of the Library Director, and up to three other designees appointed by the Library Director. Appropriate professionals may be consulted. The Committee will evaluate and recommend the acceptance or non-acceptance of objects and gifts of art.

The library will acknowledge final acceptance and conveyance of a donation(s) of an art object after the work of art is in the library’s physical possession and the Committee’s recommendation to accept the donation has been ratified by the appropriate Board.

The general guidelines for acceptance are:

• The object must be in good condition.
• The donor must accept the possibility that the item will not always be on exhibit.
• The owner must have clear title to the object.
• The library must be in a position to care properly for the object.
• Space must be available for proper display.
• The object will enhance the appearance of the facility.
• The donation must be free from donor-imposed restrictions.
• All donations are accepted in strict adherence to IRS regulations.
• The monetary value must be determined before transfer of title.
• No donations of an art object will be encumbered by less than full literary rights, property rights, copyrights, patents or trademarks, or by obscene or physically hazardous attributes.

The actual transfer shall be accomplished by a gift agreement between the parties.

The art object will be displayed in a location where it best enhances the library’s mission. An appropriate gift plate or plaque may be provided recognizing the donation.

A consensus of the current  Committee will determine when an item is to be de-accessioned. Final approval of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners will be obtained for de-accessioning those art object donations which are valued at more than $5,000. Objects will be recommended for de-accessioning if any of the following criteria are met:

• The object no longer enhances the mission of the library.
• The item would serve the public better in another venue.
• The item cannot be properly stored, preserved, or used.

When possible, the donor will be notified of the Library Advisory Board or County Board’s final decision to de-accession an art object. The object may be:

• Returned to the donor.
• Sold.
• Donated to another organization.
• Respectfully destroyed if none of the other options are available.

De-accessioned artifacts shall not be passed on to staff, board members, volunteers, or their relatives.

The Library Advisory Board will be notified  and accept donations and memorials at its next regular meeting and provide appropriate recognition in accordance with library policy.

When cash is received, it will be promptly deposited into the Library Fund with a full and complete accounting.

Anoka County Resolution 2002-93 delegates authority to the Library Advisory Board to accept gifts.

The Library Advisory Board will officially receive the gift with an appropriate entry in their minutes and direct the acknowledgment of the gift within 90 days after it is received.

This policy is reviewed by the Library Advisory Board (or a committee thereof) every four (4) years, or more frequently when deemed appropriate. The Library Advisory Board may recommend proposed changes subject to final approval by the Library Director and the Anoka County Board of Commissioners.