Donations Information
The W.H. Walters Free Public Library welcomes donations of books and other materials, as well as monetary contributions, in support of its mission and services.
Donated Materials
Donated materials are evaluated using the same standards applied to purchased items. Materials not added to the collection may be sold to benefit library programs and services or otherwise disposed of at the Library’s discretion. The Library does not assign a monetary value to donated materials. Upon request, the Library will provide the donor with a receipt for the gift. The Library will not return donated materials to the donor.
Drop-Off Guidelines
Bring donations inside the Library during regular operating hours.
Do not place donations in the book drops.
When the Library is closed, donations may be left inside the building near the inside drop box.
The Library is not responsible for donations damaged by weather or other environmental conditions. Damaged or unusable items may be recycled or discarded.
The Library Does Not Accept the Following:
Books in poor condition (stained, yellow, moldy, torn, water-damaged, etc.)
Books missing covers or pages
Books with excessive highlighting, underlining, or notes
Books with strong odors (smoke, mildew, perfume, etc.)
Encyclopedias
Textbooks
Reader’s Digest Condensed Books
Outdated Reference Books (such as old dictionaries, atlases, or medical/legal guides)
Books discarded by other libraries
Abridged audiobooks or audiobook CDs
Audio cassettes & VHS tapes
Music CDs, CD-ROMs, or floppy discs
Homemade DVDs or burned discs
Outdated computer software or educational kits
Digital files or eBooks from individuals (due to licensing restrictions)
Downloaded or self-published digital media (unless requested or locally relevant)
Flash drives or hard drives containing digital content
Loose magazines, pamphlets, or newspapers
Promotional or corporate publications
Unsolicited political, religious, or advocacy materials (these are considered solicitations, not donations)
Incomplete serial runs or single issues of professional journals
Monetary Donations
Monetary donations may be made payable to the W.H. Walters Free Public Library. Donors wishing to designate funds for a specific purpose should contact the Library Director.
The Library may establish or update operational procedures consistent with this policy without requiring amendment of the Collection Development Policy for each individual change.
