Mortvedt Library Gift Policy
Gifts, whether funds or
materials, provide a valuable potential source for collection enhancement, and
are welcomed by Pacific Lutheran University. Since significant staff time and other
library resources are involved in properly evaluating and processing material
gifts, and since no library with finite space limitations and following a
rational collection development policy can absorb all materials that might
possibly be donated, the following guidelines are established.
- The gift policy of Mortvedt Library follows
general criteria for selection of materials and established collection
development policies and procedures.
- The library must always consider the best use of
staff resources, physical space limitations, bibliographic access, and the
most effective development of the collections. Since gift materials involve these
factors and are therefore not free of cost, they will not be added simply
because they are gifts.
- Gifts of funds for general library use or for
particular items, collections, or memorials relevant to library needs are
always appreciated. Funds so received will be acknowledged and used in
accordance with accepted library procedures for collection development.
- The library can generally make no formal
commitments concerning the shelving, housing, processing, or final
disposition of gifts, unless specifically noted in writing to the donor.
The library is obliged to process all materials, whether purchased or
gift, in a cost-effective manner, which requires that routine and standard
procedures be followed as closely as practicable. Gifts with conditions or
restrictions according to normal library procedures are not acceptable
unless such conditions or restrictions are considered advantageous by the
library and accepted in writing. Such conditions as separate housing or
shelving may well serve to restrict, rather than enhance, access by
patrons.
- All gifts become the property of the library. If
an item is not finally accepted into the collection, alternative
disposition or location of the item(s) will be made at the discretion of
the library. Materials may be sold at the ongoing library book sale and
the proceeds deposited to the book fund.
- The decision to add gift material to the
collection is made by the Collection Development Librarian for that
subject area or Archivist in accordance with the appropriate collection
development policy and following all established procedures.
- Gift materials are acknowledged. As a rule, the acknowledgment will
indicate number and format of items donated. When requested by the donor and format
allows, a bookplate may be added.
- The library cannot perform its own appraisals
for purposes of tax deductions for donors. If such an evaluation is
requested, the library may be able to suggest competent and objective
appraisers. The cost of appraisal must be borne by the donor.
- To be accepted, gift materials must be in good
condition and unmarked.
- The library will notify the Office of
Development of gifts $5000 or more in value.
- Unsolicited, unordered materials sent with
invoices are treated as gifts.
