Donate

Here's what you can do!

• Donate money

• Major gifts - Bequests and named funds

• Commemorative gifts - Memorial, honorary

• Donate new books, DVDs, etc.

• Donate equipment or furnishings

• Donate to Summer Reading Programs

 

Donate to our Annual Fund

If you are interested in donating to our annual fund, please see a copy of our appeal letter (attached below) . A copy of the donation form can also be found attached to the bottom of this page. You can also donate online. 

 

Major Gifts - Bequests and Named Funds

If you would like to have a lasting impact on the library and its ability to offer materials, programs, and services that otherwise cannot be funded with the library’s regular budget, consider a major donation. Such donations are usually given with the intent of investing the principal and spending only the interest. Our Trustees oversee a small endowment, which consists of general trust funds and named funds. Trustees reserve the right to add small donations to the general interest fund rather than keep them as separate accounts. 
 
Here are some ways of establishing a named fund:

• Donate a lump sum (for example, $10,000)

• Leave money in your will (a set amount or percentage of the estate)

• Start a fund with the written intent to add to it over your lifetime or in your will

• Name a trustee (often a law firm) to oversee a fund with distributions to the library

You may designate how you would prefer your funds to be used. The Library Director would be happy to discuss ideas with you. Keep in mind that general guidelines are more helpful than those that are restrictive (e.g., funds for multi-cultural programs and materials, as opposed to CD-ROMs in French for five year olds). Trustees reserve the right to refuse funds that are overly restrictive or do not serve the library’s mission.
 
Existing major gifts are from Edwin Proctor (horticulture and natural history), Martha Kobayashi (programs and services for children and seniors), Margaret E. Sherman (special projects), and Elizabeth Benoit (large print books and programs for seniors).

 

Commemorative Gifts - Memorial, Honorary

You can donate funds to purchase a book (or other item, such as a CD, DVD, audiobook, etc.) in memory of a person who has died, in celebration of a birth, in observance of a milestone (e.g., graduation, wedding anniversary, etc.), or any other such occasion. We will place a Book Plate in the front of the book (note that other media types may not lend themselves to this). Suggested wording examples:

          "Given in Memory of John Smith, 1930-2005, by Susan Smith.”
          "Given to celebrate the birth of Isabella Johanna, born October 10, 2008.”
          "In honor of Tom Jones’ 50th birthday, from his wife.”
          "Happy Anniversary, Dick and Jane, July 1, 2007.”

We welcome suggestions of a topic or title that would suit the honored person, subject to the library’s usual selection guidelines. Though most library materials have a limited shelf life due to wear, loss, or other factors, the gift lasts longer than a bouquet or dinner out!

 

Donate New Books, DVDs, etc.

If you have a book that you would like added to the library's shelves, please contact the department directly, 508-393-5025: Children x2, Teens x4, or Adults x3.

Please contact a librarian when considering a donation of an actual book or other item (as opposed to a monetary donation to purchase materials). The library adds new material according to our selection policy based on need, suitability, and other criteria. When donating money for new purchases, the library welcomes suggestions but reserves the right to select the actual titles.

 

Donate Used Books, DVDs, etc.

If you have used books, DVDs, music CDs, etc. that you would like to donate to the Library for the Friends of the Library's book sales, you can bring those items in any time during library hours on Wednesdays (9:30am-8:30pm). Please only bring used book donations to the Library on Wednesdays as that is when our volunteer who sorts and moves all of these items is in the building. Due to space constraints, please limit the amount of donations you bring in at any one time to no more than 3 bags or boxes.

We accept donations of most items as long as they are in good condition with a few exceptions:

• textbooks more than a couple of years old

• encyclopedias

• Readers digest condensed books

• magazines

• VHS or cassette tapes

• Vinyl LPs

If you have questions about donating any used books or media items, please contact the Friends of the Library by email at friendsnorthboroughlibrary@gmail.com

 

Donate Equipment or Furnishings

Contact the Director or another librarian if you wish to donate new or recent (and working) computers, or other equipment or furnishings. The library reserves the right to refuse items not currently needed. Monetary donations toward purchases of new equipment or furnishings are always welcome.

 

Donate Materials for Children's Programs

The Children's Room has compiled a list of items that are frequently used for crafts that can be donated. We will happily accept gifts from our Amazon Wish List, or similar items that are unused and in new condition. We are unable to accept everything, so please call Katrina at (508) 393-5025 extension 2 before you come by to discuss your donation