Introduction

This policy is intended as a guideline for gift donations to the Wilmington Memorial Library via the Friends of the Wilmington Memorial Library and allows for flexibility on a case-by-case basis upon recommendation of the Library Director and approval of the Board of Library Trustees and/or the Executive Board of the Friends. The Library Director is charged with reviewing and discussing with donors potential gifts and policies on gift acceptance.  The Library and/or Friends of the Wilmington Memorial Library shall only accept gifts that are consistent with its stated mission, purpose and priorities. 

Monetary Donations

Monetary gifts shall be accepted by the Friends of the Wilmington Memorial Library and will be utilized to purchase materials or equipment, support library programs, or in other ways that the Library Friends of the Wilmington Memorial Library deem appropriate. Unrestricted monetary gifts may be given in memory of or in honor of an individual. Restricted monetary gifts will only be accepted if they are consistent with the library’s stated mission, purpose and priorities of the Friends of the Wilmington Memorial Library. Only substantial monetary donations will be considered for restricted purposes. 

For donations to the Friends of the Wilmington Memorial Library, please complete and return this Friends Gift Donation form with your donation to the library.

Library Materials and Equipment

See Collection Development Policy.

Personal Property

Gifts of items for permanent display or preservation are not normally accepted. The Library will not accept gifts that are too restrictive in purpose or cannot be accommodated due to space limitations, safety requirements, long term maintenance costs, etc.  Gifts of personal property will only be accepted if they are consistent with the library’s stated mission, purpose and priorities. 

Personal property is accepted only on the condition that it may be sold, kept, given away or discarded at the discretion of the Library Director and/or the Board of Library Trustees. An appropriate deed of gift or similar document transferring sole and exclusive ownership of the item to the Library may be required. 

Acknowledgements

The Library attempts to acknowledge each gift with a letter or receipt.  Gifts of large monetary amounts or gifts of significant value will be publicly acknowledged unless donor requests to remain anonymous.

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees September 17, 2013.
Revised and approved December 23, 2025