The Bonneville County Library District encourages gifts to the library consistent with the Library’s mission and policies. Donations are not intended to replace regularly budgeted Library expenditures; however, private resources can extend and enrich Library services.
Donations can also be made directly to one of the Library District’s Friends Groups. Both FABL (Friends Assisting Bonneville Libraries) and FOIL (Friends of the Iona Library) are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and can handle monetary gifts, gifts of materials, bequests, endowments, and other gifts of an enduring nature to support the Library’s vital role in the community.
Acceptance of Gifts
- The Library accepts donations of materials on behalf of the Library District’s Friends Groups. Only outright gifts in usable condition are accepted. Materials are added to the Library’s collection as prescribed in the Collection Development Policy. Materials not added to the collection are typically included in book sales to benefit the Library.
- Unrestricted gifts of money are gratefully accepted by the Library to be used at its discretion. Unrestricted funds allow the Library to address its most pressing needs. The Library Director will consult with the Library Board of Trustees on the use of gifts greater than $5,000.
- Gifts-in-kind (i.e., furnishings, equipment, art, and other decorative objects) and all gifts of consequence (i.e., real property, stocks, annuities, and large monetary gifts) will be considered individually and accepted at the discretion of the Library Director.
- The Library Board of Trustees and Library staff reserve the right to refuse any gift. Because the Library does not serve the function of a museum, gifts of items for permanent display or preservation are not normally accepted.
- Once a gift is accepted by the Library, it becomes the property of the Library, and may be disposed of accordingly. The gift will not be expected to be returned to the donor.
- All grants are approved by the Library Director. Grants are approved based on their ability to assist the Library in the pursuit of its mission.
- Those wishing to honor or memorialize a person or occasion through a gift may be asked to do so through the Library District’s Friends Groups.
- Because monetary gifts with restrictions are expensive to handle, expend, and track, the Library may ask that they be made directly to the Library District’s Friends Groups.
Donor Responsibilities
- The Library cannot assume the responsibility for estimating the value of donated materials for income tax or other purposes.
- Gifts to the Library are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donors should consult their tax adviser. The Library Donations and Gifts form, or the acknowledgment letter, serves as the donor’s record and receipt.
Acknowledgment and Recognition of Gifts
- Upon request, donors will be provided a receipt from the Library. Checks should have the donor’s current address and be made out to “Bonneville County Library.”
- Gifts of materials are generally acknowledged only through the Library gift form, which must be filled out at the time of donation.
- Gifts of consequence to the Library ($500 or more) will be acknowledged by a letter or card from the Library Director (or the director’s designee) and the Chairperson (or another member) of the Library Board of Trustees.