Gifts in kind and of money are encouraged. Gifts will be accepted only if they place no restrictions on academic freedom or contravene the selection criteria outlined in Section II.C of the McCain Library Collection Development Policy. Prospective donors must understand that the library may add proffered gifts in kind to the collection or dispose of them at its discretion. Gifts in kind will be evaluated using the same criteria as those used for potential purchases.
The library typically identifies gift books added to the collection with a gift book plate affixed inside the front cover. Other gift items aside from books are similarly identified as gift items with some form of identifying marker.
Appraisals
The library assumes no responsibility for the appraisal of gifts under restricted conditions. Gifts to the library must conform to the institutional policies of the Erskine College Development Office.
The following criteria concerning the appraisal of gifts, approved by the Board of Directors of the Association of College and Research Libraries on February 1, 1973, will prevail:
- The appraisal of a gift to a library for tax purposes is generally the responsibility of the donor since it is the donor who benefits from the tax deduction. Generally, the cost of appraisal should be borne by the donor.
- The library should at all times protect the interests of its donors as best it can and should suggest the desirability of appraisals whenever such a suggestion would be in order.
- To protect both its donors and itself, the library, as an interested party, should not appraise gifts made to it. It is recognized, however, that on occasion the library may wish to appraise small gifts, since many of them are not worth the time and expense an outside appraisal requires. Generally, however, the library will limit its assistance to the donor to:
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- Providing him/her with information such as auction records and dealers’ catalogues
- Suggestions of appropriate professional appraisers who might be consulted
- Administrative and processing services which might assist the appraiser in making an accurate evaluation
- The acceptance of a gift which has been appraised by a third, and disinterested party, does not in any way imply an endorsement of the appraisal by the library.
Procedure for Donating Gifts
Persons wishing to donate books or other items (in kind or monetary) to the library will need to fill out a Gift Donation Form.
Gifts may be sent to the library at the following address:
McCain Library
Erskine College and Seminary
Attn: Gifts and Donations Department
P.O. Box 188
One Depot Street (for FedEx and UPS)
Due West, SC 29639
If gift items are delivered to the library in person or through the mail, be sure to include the donor’s name, mailing address, and any other pertinent information (i.e., whether the items are given in memory or in honor of someone, whether the donor wishes to remain anonymous, etc.). The donor’s name and mailing address should be sent with the gift items even if the donor wishes to remain anonymous. The library honors requests for anonymity but does keep a file of donors and sends written notification to donors that a gift has been received. A simple Gift Donation Form has been prepared to collect this information.
Please Note: Library policies are subject to change and may not be reflected here immediately. Official copies of policies are available in the library office.
Staff
