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Frequently Asked Questions
Donations
Related library policies:
Does the library accept monetary donations?
Monetary gifts, bequests, and memorial or honorary contributions are particularly welcome. You can print out this Honorary/Memorial Donations form (PDF format) and either drop it off with a check (payable to Fauquier County Public Library) or cash at your local library or mail it to Fauquier County Public Library, Attn: Linda Yowell, 11 Winchester St., Warrenton, VA 20186.
Restricted gifts subject to certain conditions of the donor may be accepted if the Library Board agrees to the condition of the gift. Funds donated to enhance the collection will be used to purchase items in accordance with the selection policy of the library. Books, DVDs, and other materials purchased with bequests and memorial or honorary contributions will be identified with special donor plates whenever possible. If requested, notification of memorial or honorary contributions will be sent to the family of the person being recognized. Suggestions for subject areas or other areas of interest are welcome and will be followed to the extent possible.
Acceptance of donations of equipment, real estate, stock, artifacts, works of art, collections, etc., will be determined by the Library Board based on their suitability to the purposes and needs of the library, laws, and regulations that govern the ownership of the gift, and the library’s ability to cover insurance and maintenance costs associated with the donation. When considering gifts to the library, the Library Board complies with the Virginia Procurement Act.
Does the library accept donations of new and used books?
The library accepts gifts of new and used books (in good condition), audio recordings, DVDs and similar materials. If you have more than one box of items to donate, please make arrangements in advance by contacting the Collection Development Manager at (540)349-1928.
Items will be added to the collection in accordance with the Materials Selection Policy of the library. Once donated, items become the property of the Fauquier County Public Library, and may be given to the Book Cellar, other libraries and nonprofit agencies, sold, traded, or discarded if they are not added to the collection. Donated items will not be returned to the donor and the library will not accept any item that is not an outright gift. The library will acknowledge receipt of donated items but is unable to set fair market or appraisal values. It is recommended that the donor make a list of items donated. If items are being donated to obtain a tax benefit, it is the donor’s responsibility to establish fair market value or obtain expert assistance in establishing any value. The library also reserves the right to decide when a gift added to the collection can be withdrawn.
Why don't you add everything you are given to your collection?
Any books that we choose to add to the collection must meet our regular selection criteria as outlined in our Materials Selection Policy. Sometimes the donated item doesn't meet these criteria -- it may contain dated information, it may be in poor condition, or it may not meet the information needs of our community. Sometimes we have enough copies of the donated title, or enough information on the subject. If we can't use the item, we turn it over to the Friends who try to sell the item in the book sale, or donate it to others who have use for the item (homeless shelters, etc.).
Does the library participate in the Amazon Wish List program?
Yes, the library has online wish lists for children and adults through Amazon.com.
Do you have a list of merchants that I can shop with that will donate a percentage to the library?
Your purchases at Amazon.com, via Wowbrary, can help Fauquier County public libraries. When you are ready to shop at Amazon, simply start your shopping using the URL http://wowbrary.org/fauquier and Amazon will donate about 6% of your purchases to Wowbrary, half of which goes directly to the library. It cost you nothing but it helps the library.