Gifts and Donations Policy

Gifts of Materials

Donated materials become Tiffin-Seneca Public Library’s property upon receipt. The Library Director makes the final decision to accept or refuse gifts of materials.
For materials accepted into the collection, the Library makes all future decisions regarding their retention, location, cataloging, circulation, repair, and disposition at its sole discretion.
Donated materials which are not accepted into the collection may be transferred to the Friends of the Library or discarded at the Library’s sole discretion.

Unrestricted monetary gifts will be used at the discretion of the Library Director or the Board of Trustees to the best advantage of the Library.
Restricted monetary gifts will be accepted provided that the requested use is consistent with the Library’s mission, goals, and capabilities.
If desired, donors may provide funds to purchase materials in honor or in memory of an individual or organization. A bookplate or other device will be affixed to such materials to recognize the specified individual or organization provided that it is possible to do so.
A gift of at least $1,000 is needed to have a leaf placed on the Library’s Benefactor Tree.

While donations of artwork, furnishings, or other personal property are welcome, the Library reserves the right to accept or refuse such gifts as well as the as the right to determine their location and mode of display.
The Library accepts such gifts only on the condition that they become Tiffin-Seneca Public Library’s sole property upon receipt and may be kept, sold, given away, or discarded under the terms outlined in the Equipment Disposal Policy.
The Library may request that artwork be accompanied by a current appraisal. An appropriate deed of gift, or similar document, transferring sole and exclusive ownership to the Library is required. The Library, at its discretion, may require evidence of provenance and present title.

Neither the Library Board nor any member of the Library Staff will assess or suggest a value for non-monetary gifts for income tax or other purposes.
A letter of acknowledgment will not contain a statement of value for donated items.
All donations to the Library are tax deductible and provide tax benefits to the fullest extent of Federal and State law.
The Library will provide a descriptive receipt upon request.

Staff will not accept gifts or tips of any kind from members of the public except for plants or edible gifts such as cookies, candy, etc. which can be placed in the department or the staff lounge and shared by the whole staff.
All other gifts must be refused or returned to the sender with an explanation that acceptance of gifts is strictly against Library policy