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Whitman Public Library Donation Policy

The resources of Whitman Public Library have been developed over the years through careful selection by our librarians and through the acceptance of many valuable and useful gifts. We are grateful for the generosity of persons who donate materials to the library, but in order to ensure a quality collection for everyone, the Whitman Public Library has established some simple guidelines:

• Donated materials are defined as [a] previously owned books or other materials appropriate to the library holdings and [b] new materials sent unsolicited to the library, usually from an organization or government agency.
• The Whitman Public Library welcomes donations from individuals and groups two weeks before the bi-annual Friends Book Sale in the fall and the spring; limited storage space prohibits acceptance of donations year-round.
• All donated material becomes the property of the Whitman Public Library and are added to the collection, sold, or otherwise discarded as the library chooses.
• The Library reserves the right to make final selection of any materials to be added to the collection.
• The Library also reserves the right to withdraw materials from the collection when they are no longer appropriate under the selection policy.
• Donated materials are turned in to the Circulation Desk. Materials may not be left in the outside bin or elsewhere in the building or on the grounds.
• If a large donation of materials is planned, the Library should be contacted before delivering the items.
• The donor may request a receipt for tax purposes. A representative of the Friends can issue a receipt, but the exact value of the donation cannot be determined.
• Special gift items may be acknowledged and/or designated by a bookplate.

The library is happy to accept the following materials in new or nearly new condition:

Hardcover books: Five years old or newer
Paperback books: Three years old or newer
Literary classics: Any age but in good condition
Videocassettes, DVD & music compact disks: undamaged and with original cases and booklets

The library also does not accept the following materials:

CD-ROMS
Encyclopedias
Magazines
Newspapers
Textbooks
Dated, yellowed, damaged or musty items