[Publib] A question for you

[Judith Turner]

Hi, Andrea 

Hard to say how it would differ from "Adopt-A-Book" programs since I don't know what the specific guidelines for the programs are but as K.G. pointed out, the problem with Monica's proposal is that the donor would get first circulation rights on the book.

The way the proposal was described appears to be a way to avoid using the fair market valuation that gifts of used property are subject to when a charitable contribution is being deducted.  Someone would have to make a convincing argument that these donors are people who normally reread bestsellers and other popular works (so the book does not lose most of its value on first reading as it does for the majority of us readers.)

As far as "return gifts" from non-profits go, the IRS now requires non-profits to inform donors of the value of the gift so that it can be used to reduce the amount of the contribution.  Our PBS local station slips in a note with the gift or premium
they send in return for the membership contribution.  Invitations to fund-raising events that include dinner and other amenities specify the amount of
the "contribution" that is not allowed as a charitable donation -- this is the portion going towards food, beverages, entertainment, etc.

This is getting a bit further afield than tax deductibility but many
collections-based organizations (museums, historical societies, zoos, etc.) would look askance at donors making gifts of cash, stocks or bonds and then turning around and directing what should be done with the donated money.  Giving up the right to do collection development/acquisitions would be seen (in written collections policies, at least) as tantamount to giving up the organizations' reason for existence.   

I realize that most libraries do not feel so strongly about this issue because they actively acquire materials that their patrons (will) use but I think there's a degree of autonomy here that is important to preserve. Allowing patrons to specify the title their donation will be used to buy seems dangerous, regardless of what the IRS says.

Judy Turner
Whitefish Bay, WI


Andrea Berstler - Director <andrea.berstler at villagelibrary.org> wrote:        v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  Citrus Punch       st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }           How would this program be different from many of the Adopt A Book programs that are in numerous libraries across the county? We use one in ours and have considered the funds given as donations, much the same way that you donation to any other non-profit often has a return “gift” attached to it.  




       
---------------------------------
Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20080505/3d69e8a4/attachment.htm