Donate Library Materials

The Library accepts gifts that enhance the present collection and that strengthen areas of the collection in need of development.  Your generous contributions may be unrestricted or designated for a specific purpose.

Gifts may be in two forms:

• A check may be made to the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and designated for the Library. 

• Donors may suggest subject fields for purchases when these fall within scope of material collected, but are encouraged to donate funds, without restrictions, so the funds can be used to address the most pressing library needs.In all cases, the gift will be acknowledged in writing with a letter of thanks.

Gifts-In-Kind

• Gifts-in-kind made to the Library’s modern collections are greatly appreciated, and help to broaden the collections’ depth and scope. These gifts may include books, journals, software and, DVDs. Publications are added to the collection when they are in good condition, within the scope of the library collections, do not exceed the number of copies needed and meet other selection criteria. When added, they will become an integral part of the libraries' collections, they will be fully cataloged, they will be available to all users in accordance with the rules and regulations for borrowing, and they will be shelved with other publications according to subject fields.

Donations will be identified in the catalog record and may be identified by bookplates through arrangement with the Head Librarian.

In general, the following are not added to the Library’s modern collections:

• Older editions of monographs owned by the library
• Outdated material on subjects well represented in the collection
• Material in poor physical condition
• Volumes from a broken set, with the exception of replacement volumes for deteriorating copies in the library’s collection
• Sample issues of journals
• Short runs of journals to which the library does not subscribe

Gifts-in-kind for the modern collection are not accessioned and do not require formal deaccessioning procedures. Gifts are accepted with the understanding that they become the property of the Library and may be disposed of at the library's discretion, and for the benefit of the library. Gifts are not returned to the donor. In all cases, the gift will be acknowledged in writing with a letter of thanks.

Gifts to the Library are tax deductible. An acknowledgement letter serves as the receipt for tax purposes. It is the responsibility of the donor to keep a list of items donated, and to obtain an appraisal of value if one is wanted. The Library does not appraise any gifts. If the gift item is appropriate to special collections, it will be referred to the Special Collections Librarian, who will accept items that are relevant to the collecting priorities, that do not unnecessarily duplicate material already in the collection, and for which the MVLA can provide proper storage and preservation.