Memorials, Gifts, and Donations
to the Farmington Community Library

The generosity of donors has long enriched the collections and facilities of the Farmington Community Library. The following guidelines will assist in acknowledging the donors' generosity and in handling gifts.

Monetary Donations

Monetary contributions to the Library support the purchase of books and other materials to maintain the Library’s status as a premier facility. Donations may be in the form of a memorial or tribute to an individual. Donors may suggest subject areas for purchase if the gift is intended to improve the collection. While specific titles may be suggested, the librarian is charged with selecting an appropriate title that will best meet the collection development guidelines. A general donation may be used for books, audio materials and programs. Your contribution may also be used for a chosen purpose, such as the Children's Garden or membership in the Farmington Friends of the Library. Call (248) 848•4303 for more information.

All gifts will be acknowledged with a receipt. The staff member accepting the gift should obtain the name and address of the donor, as well as any information concerning a person honored or remembered with the gift. Acknowledgement is also sent to the person(s) requested by the donor, i.e., a bereaved family.

All donors should be apprised of the fact that donations to the Library are deductible on federal taxes and a credit on state taxes, to the extent provided by the law.

Some Ideas

Tribute Collection Tribute gifts are a thoughtful way to remember friends and family for special occasions. A special bookplate is placed in each book in recognition of the individual.

A paver tile commemorating birthdays, anniversaries and memorials of your friends and family can be part of the walkway to the entrance of the Main Library for a cost of $100 to $150, depending on the length of the message.

Donors' Special Collection Major donations are recognized with the donor's name engraved on the spine of a book on the bronze bookshelf at the entrance of the Main Library. Lifetime donations begin at $5,000 on the lower shelf, $10,000 on the middle, and major contributions on the top Endowment Shelf. Donations for the Farmington Friends of the Library section are $2,500 for the lower shelf, $5,000 for the middle, and major contributions for the top Endowment Shelf.

Endowment Fund This is a self-renewing resource in which the gift's principal is invested in perpetuity with a portion of the interest income used annually for a stated purpose.

Wills and Bequests A planned gift to the Library offers an opportunity to create a meaningful legacy consistent with your personal values and financial objectives. An attorney, accountant or trust officer can provide assistance as you plan your gift.

We recognize that ALL donors, regardless of the size of their contributions, share a passion for reading and learning that collectively support our Library mission: ". . . .to facilitate independent learning and encourage the love of reading from early childhood throughout one's life."

Contributions are eligible for a 50% credit on state income tax and deductible on federal taxes.

Donations of Books, Materials and Other Items

Patrons have also been generous in donating books, other Library materials and equipment to the Library. Such generosity is a major source of paperback books and an excellent source of titles not owned by the Library. Any material given to the Library may be added, and later removed, from the collection based on the Library's Collection Development Guidelines. Those items which cannot be used will be sold in the Friends of the Library Book Sale, whose funds support the Library, or given to other non-profit or charitable organizations.

Gifts of artwork, personal property, equipment, real estate and stocks may be accepted at the discretion of the Library Director if such terms or conditions are acceptable to the Library Board of Trustees.

Gifts of computer hardware are accepted at the discretion of the Assistant Director and his Technology Office, since the Library's requirements change with technological development and enhancements. The Library staff may be able to suggest other organizations who will accept older hardware.

Generally, the Library does not accept:

• Computer Software
• Books and items that are without covers, stained, mildewed or musty or with yellowed or brittle paper
• Recordings (vinyl records and cassette tapes)
• Video Cassettes
• Computer software
• Reader's Digest Condensed Books
• Textbooks and workbooks over 5 yrs. old
• Magazines (other than current year)
• Law and Medical Collections

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