Donation Policy
General Information
Gifts represent an important component of the collection building activities of the National Public Library; therefore, the donation of gift books and other materials to enhance our collections is encouraged. The National Public Library accepts donations of any kind that support and further the mission, goals and objectives of the Library, as outlined in the collection development plan. The purpose of this policy is to specify the type of donations that the library accepts and how the Library will handle these donations.
Gifts are accepted in honor or in memoriam of a person or event. An acknowledgement of receipt of a donation will be made to the donor in writing within ten business days of receiving the gift.
The library accepts gifts of local, historical or rare materials that have cultural or historical significance to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and are appropriate for inclusion in the Library's Vincentian Collections / National Archives.
Gift items that might deserve special attention include books by local authors, local photographs of historical interest, yearbooks from local schools, local newspapers of historical importance, and local memorabilia.
The library cannot and does not appraise books, works of art or any other items. Donors who wish to have the value of a donation specified must make all arrangements for and bear all costs of an appraisal.
The library may not be able to accept a donation if the donor places extensive and/or restrictive conditions on the use of the gift by the library. The library will work with the donor to reach an agreement on the disposition of the gift. However, the Library will not accept a gift if the donor's wishes cannot be carried out successfully for any reason or do not fall within the mission, goals and objectives of the Library. If this is determined to be so, the donor will be notified in writing and the gift returned.
All decisions regarding directional and/or wayfaring signage with respect to the location of a donated item or items within the library building is the discretion of the Library.
All gifts accepted by the library become the property of the library, which has the discretion to keep or dispose of the items.
The library will not accept items that cannot be properly cared for or secured within normal operations and procedures of the library.
Condition of materials: No materials will be accepted that are not in good, clean, useable condition. No materials should be brought to the library that contain any hint of mold, mildew, pests (insects or mice), highlighted text or other scribbling, or that smell strongly of tobacco smoke.
Appropriate formats: The library is willing to consider all formats. Any audiovisual format that is not the original item produced for sale with the original labeling will not be accepted. Obsolete audiovisual formats will not be accepted; unless they are of national value.
Age of materials: Any materials that is more than five (5) years old will not be considered to be added to the collection; unless they are of national value. Religious tracts, devotional books, or materials intended for proselytizing rather than providing information about a particular religion are also typically excluded as gifts.
Periodicals: Periodicals that do not serve any academic purpose will not be considered for the collection.
Entire collections: large or extensive gifts of materials will be evaluated and accepted or rejected by the National Public Library after consideration of the implications for library resources and its Collection Development Policy.
Types of Gifts/donation accepted
- Gifts of Books and Other Library Materials
- The library accepts gifts of library materials in good condition. This includes, but is not limited to, books, audiocassettes, CDs, videocassettes, DVDs, periodicals, manuscripts, maps, and pamphlets.
- All library materials accepted as gifts will be evaluated in accordance with the National Public Library Collection Development Policy.
- In the case of the gift of a collection of materials, the library will work with the donor regarding the arrangement, location, and maintenance of the collection. The library may not be able to or wish to agree to all the donor's requests with regard to such issues as keeping all items together as a discrete collection, signage, and additions to the collection.
- If expenses are involved with maintenance of the collection, signage, additions to the collection, activities related to promoting the collection (such as recognition ceremonies or programming), security, etc., the donor may be expected to provide money or in-kind donations to support the collection.
- Gifts of Artwork
- The library retains the discretion to accept or reject any work of art.
- The placement and display of an art item is the sole discretion of the library. The wishes of the donor regarding the location of the art will be taken into account by the library.
- The library will not accept art that cannot be properly cared for or secured by the library within normal operations and procedures of the library.
- If expenses are involved with maintenance and display of the art, security, etc., the donor may be expected to provide money or in-kind donations to support these activities.
- At the request of the donor, a small plaque or metal plate, not exceeding 8" square in size, will be placed near the work of art to identify it and recognize the donor or an honoree. The decision concerning placement of such a plaque or plate is the sole discretion of the library.
- It is the library's policy that artwork must not contain advertising information such as corporate agency logos except for logos that pertain to the library.
- Gifts of Furniture and Equipment
- The Library accepts gifts of furniture and equipment that supports and furthers the mission, goals and objectives of the Library. The Library retains the discretion to accept or reject any gift of furniture and/or equipment for the Library.
- The placement and use of furniture and equipment is the sole discretion of the Library. The wishes of the donor regarding the location of the furniture and equipment will be taken into account by the library.
- The Library will not accept furniture or equipment that cannot be properly cared for or secured by the Library within normal operations and procedures of the Library.
- Donation of any other types of gifts will be considered by the Library on a case-by-case basis.