The Gardiner Library Association

Formed in 1881, the Gardiner Library Association (GLA) owns the building and the land, makes capital improvements, buys new equipment, and seeks to improve library services. The association is a non-profit 501c3 organization and your donations may be tax-deductible.

Thank you for your support of the Gardiner Library Association.

MEMORIAL & ENDOWMENT DONATIONS

The Gardiner Library Association welcomes memorial and endowment donations to ensure future library services and the preservation of the building. More than half the new materials the library buys each year are purchased with interest income from the Association trust funds. The Association welcomes memorial and endowment donations to ensure future library services and the preservation of the building.

A fund can be established for donations or endowments of over $1,000. Materials purchased with interest from the fund will then have a specially designed bookplate affixed, bearing the name supplied by the donor.

  • Memorial Gifts: Individual gifts in memory of or in honor of a specific individual are a special way to show appreciation for the library and its impact on that person’s life.
  • Memorial Library Materials Fund: For donations of $1,000 or more a perpetual memorial fund can be established. Library materials are purchased annually from the interest accrued on the gift. A bookplate will be placed in each purchased title with the name of the person being honored.
  • Endowment Fund: Donations to the endowment are welcome at any time and are preserved for future needs. Interest on the endowment is used for building and grounds upkeep, special library programming, and capital improvements.

For more information, please contact Library Director Dawn Thistle at 207.582.3312 or [email protected].

OTHER GIFTS

Gifts of other assets such as real estate, private securities and tangible personal property, will be considered for acceptance on a case-by-case basis. Criteria for acceptance of other types of gifts may include:

  • Relevance to the library’s mission
  • Space required to house or store the gift
  • Time required to manage the gift
  • Liquidity issues
  • Cost of evaluation
  • Cost of maintenance
  • Legal liabilities

Acceptance of Unrestricted Gifts

The Gardiner Library Association Board will make the final determination to accept or decline any gift of any kind. If accepted and unless expressly acknowledged in writing by the Library: (1) the Library reserves the right to liquidate, relocate, remove or otherwise dispose of any gift at any time and in any manner without notice to or permission from the donor; and (2) all gifts will be considered unrestricted and unconditional. 

Acceptance of Restricted Gifts

Due to the voluntary nature of The Gardiner Library Association and the limitations of library staff, we do not encourage restricted gifts.  However, the GLA will consider accepting a restricted gift on a case-by-case basis, taking into account:

  • The nature and duration of the proposed restriction, which must be clearly stated and agreed upon by all parties.
  • The compatibility of the restriction with the overall mission of the library.
  • The impact of the restriction on the ability of the library or the association to acquire gifts from other sources.
  • The burdens or encumbrances of the restriction on the library’s or association’s resources, either financially or administratively.
  • Any adverse publicity the restriction might create for the library or the association.

Again, the Gardiner Library Association makes the final decision on acceptance, use and disposition of the gift, and retains the right to accept or decline any restricted gift. The use and management of restricted gifts, if accepted, become the sole responsibility and property of the library or the association. 

Gifts of Print and Non-Print Materials

The Gardiner Library Association does not accept donations of books, periodicals, electronic media, or similar resource material meant for patrons or for book sales. Please consult Gardiner Public Library staff if you wish to donate these types of items.  Archival materials or historical collections may be of value to the library or to the GLA. If so, these will be evaluated in the same manner as other gifts. 

Gift Acknowledgment

The Gardiner Library Association or the Gardiner Library Director will provide a timely, written acknowledgment of the receipt of gifts to the donor. For monetary gifts the letter will include the amount of the gift for IRS purposes.  In instances where the gift is in honor or memory of a third party or individual, a letter, without monetary amounts, will also be sent to the honoree or to his or her family to let them know about the tribute. Donors wishing to have an appraisal of non-monetary gifts done for income tax purposes should do so prior to donation.  The library does not appraise items for tax purposes. 

ONLINE DONATIONS

All online donations can be made safely and securely through the PayPal link below:

GET INVOLVED!

There are many ways to help your local library. One of the ways you can help the Gardiner Public Library is by taking part in one of the GLA Committees:

  • Building & Grounds
  • Exhibits
  • Finance
  • Peg Shaw Garden
  • Special Collections
  • Fundraising