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Policies

Donor Recognition Policy

The Pender County Public Library System encourages the private support of library services through gifts of money, real property, personal property, mixed property, bequests, and trust funds. The library accepts gifts to enhance services and facilities. The library, as advised by the Library Advisory Board, and administered by the County, retains the right to reject or return any gifts or donations.

In addition to gifts made directly to the library, donors may offer gifts to the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF), and to the Friends of the Library (FOL) for each facility. The primary function of these support organizations is to provide financial support to the libraries. The NCCF receives and administers bequests, endowment funds, and other gifts for the library system. The Friends of the Library groups undertake a variety of activities, including book sales, to raise funds and provide support for their specific facility.

While unrestricted gifts are more desirable for the flexibility they allow the library, gifts with reasonable restrictions are also welcome. Contributions may be accepted for particular projects or services that fall within the library’s mission and plans. All property and objects donated to the library become the sole property of the county which reserves the right to sell or dispose of such property if that should be for best interest of the library.

All contributions are acknowledged with respect and gratitude. Consistent with this policy the specific recognition accorded to donors may include named spaces, furnishings or fixtures within a library, letters of acceptance and appreciation, press releases, public events, mementos, certificates and presentation plaques, donor wall, or other ways approved by the Library Advisory Board that commemorate the gift.

Books and Non-Print Materials Guidelines:

  1. The library accepts gifts of books and non-print materials.
  2. The library adds only those titles needed in the collection that meet the selection standards required of purchased materials.
  3. The Friends group of each facility may sell or dispose of the materials not selected by the library for inclusion in the collection.
  4. The Friends of the Libraries are organizations independent of the library, but whose existence and mission is to benefit the library. As such, the Friends and the library seek to work together to this end. The Friends receive, hold and dispense donations in support of the library’s needs. Donors wishing to purchase materials for the library are encouraged to make a financial contribution to the Friends of the Library for this purpose. Materials will be selected by library staff and invoices forwarded to the Friends for payment.

Major Gifts

For contributions large enough to generate ample annual income, the library encourages endowments managed through the NC Community Foundation. NCCF will invest and professionally manage these funds providing supplemental income for purchases on an annual basis for perpetuity. Such annual revenue shall not be used to replace tax revenues.

For capital projects, donations may be given to the county or the NC Community Foundation which are governed by strict fiscal polices and audits. Donations may be also be given to the Friends organizations which are independent.

Major donor recognition shall be within the following general parameters:

  • Recognitions shall contribute to the aesthetic integrity of the library building.
  • Permanent recognitions must be easily maintained and withstand heavy use in the interior, or the weather if outside the library.
  • Recognition in the form of portraits or photographs of donors to be hung on library walls shall not be permitted.
  • Recognition plaques shall be provided by the library. Other recognition may be provided by the Friends of the Library upon approval of the Library Advisory Board.

Naming Privileges as Part of a Capital Campaign

The library may offer donor recognition opportunities as part of its library building and expansion programs. Such opportunities may include commemorative naming of facilities or parts of facilities, vehicles, equipment, furnishings and collections. Final decisions on naming and/or accepting any offers of contributions to name facilities or equipment shall rest with the Pender County Board of Commissioners.

Naming Guidelines

  • Library facilities may be named as designated by a donor who makes a significant monetary contribution to the Library.
  • Other naming opportunities within a facility may include such areas as meeting rooms, conference rooms, special use areas, collections and equipment. During the planning of a building project, appropriate contributions for such naming opportunities will be determined by square footage cost, actual cost of equipment and on-going operating cost.
  • Commemorative options for the purchase of equipment, shelving, furniture, fixtures, etc. are available to donors for 100% of the actual cost. In the event that such items have already been purchased out of Library funds, a contribution of an equivalent amount to the Library will earn the donor the desired commemorative opportunity.
  • Named facilities or areas within facilities shall bear signage citing the role of the donor. All signage will be provided by the Library.
  • No product logos shall be displayed on the signage.
  • These guidelines may be revised by recommendation by the Library Advisory Board to the County Commissioners in response to unique needs and opportunities of various projects and gifts.

Adopted by the Pender County Library Advisory Board, March 2006.

Revised and adopted by the Pender County Library Advisory Board, April 15, 2024.