Donation Policy

The Orange Public Libraries welcomes gifts of books, other materials, and monetary donations that enhance our collections, services, or facilities as described below. The library reserves the right to refuse any gift or donation that the Library Director and the Library’s Board of Trustees deem not in the best interest of the Library to accept. All gifts or donations to the Library become the property of the Library, shall be final, and no restrictions on the Library’s ownership, possession, use, or disposition of the gift shall be in effect other than those requested by the donor and approved by the express vote of the Board of Trustees.

The director will establish office procedures for receiving and acknowledging all contributions and maintaining accounting and donor records.

Gifts are accepted in honor or in memoriam of a person or event. Acknowledgement of such a gift may be made to the donor and up to three other persons or entities in writing. Recognition of an honorary or memorial gift is made as outlined below, according to the nature of the gift.

The Library cannot and does not appraise books, works of art, or any other items. The Library will not bear the cost of such an appraisal. Donors who wish to have the value of a donation specified must make all arrangements and bear all costs of an appraisal.

The Library may be unable to accept a donation if the donor places extensive and/or restrictive conditions on the use of the gift by the Library.

Gifts of Money

- The Library accepts gifts of money, in any amount.

- Anonymous donations of money will be accepted. The Library Director will not share the donor’s personally identifiable information; however, the amount of the gift and any restrictions on its use will be reported to the Orange Public Libraries Board of Trustees.

- Contributions over $5,000 are brought to the attention of the board of trustees.

- The donor may indicate how they wish the money to be spent by the Library.

- The money may be specified for a particular type of library material, service, or activity.

- The money may be specified for a particular library location.

- The money may be specified for a particular item of furniture or equipment.

- Recognition of a gift of money, if requested, is made as outlined below, according to what is purchased with it.

Gifts of Materials

The Library accepts gifts of library materials in good condition - including, but not limited to, books, DVDs, library of things items, and current technology.

- All library materials accepted as gifts will be evaluated in accordance with the Orange Public Libraries’ Collection Development Policy.

- In most cases, usable library materials that the Library does not add to its collections are offered to the Friends of the Orange Public Libraries for their annual Book Sale. Money raised by the Friends from their Book Sale is used to benefit the Library and its programs.

- Acknowledgement letters are not usually written for routine donations of used materials. However, at the donor's request, the Library Director may provide a written acknowledgement to serve as an official record of the donation.

- Gift plates to recognize the donor are not usually placed in or on used items donated and added to the Libraries’ collections.

- The Library Director retains the right to determine when the use of a gift plate for recognition is feasible and appropriate.

- The placement and display of an item is at the discretion of the Library. The wishes of the donor regarding the location of the item will be taken into account.

- The Library will not accept physical items or objects that cannot be properly cared for or secured by the Library within its normal operations and procedures.

Gifts of Artwork

- The Library retains the right to accept or reject any donated work of art.

- Art that cannot be properly cared for or secured by the Library within its normal operations and procedures will not be accepted.

- The placement and display of an art item is the sole prerogative of the Library. The wishes of the donor regarding the location of the art will be taken into account.

- At the request of the donor, a small plaque may 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 is the sole prerogative of the Library Director and the Library’s Board of Trustees.

Gifts of Furniture, Equipment, and Other Items

- The Library accepts gifts of furniture and equipment that support and further its mission, goals, and objectives. The Library Director and the Library’s Board of Trustees retain the right 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 prerogative of the Library. The wishes of the donor regarding the location of the furniture and equipment will be taken into account.

- Furniture or equipment that cannot be properly cared for or secured by the Library within its normal operations and procedures will not be accepted.

- Items or services that would beautify and enhance the exterior of the library and grounds.

Bulk Donations

Please contact the Library Director before making a large donation.

We may accept the following items provided they’re not mildewed, musty, water damaged, soiled, or in otherwise poor condition:

- Books:

- Hardcover fiction

- Works by popular authors

- Children’s books

- Works of classic literature

- Paperbacks with covers

- Non-fiction, including subjects such as art, music, gardening, cooking, how-to, sports, computers, biographies, health, and self-help

- Book sets that are complete and current (except encyclopedias)

- DVDs

- Music CDs

- Vinyl records

- Audiobooks

We will not accept donations of:

- Magazines

- Textbooks

- VHS tapes

- Audiobooks on cassette

- Discards from other libraries

- Encyclopedias

Other donations to the Orange Public Libraries will be accepted or refused on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Library Director and the Library’s Board of Trustees.

Approved by the Orange Public Libraries’ Board of Trustees on December 15, 2025