ITEM NUMBER: 4.33
CHAPTER 4: Library
Statements
CODE: Policy
COMPUTER ID: LS-ST-4
Title: Statement on Appraisal of Gifts.
Effective Date: 11-24-86
Authorized By: Library Board of Trustees
Date of Last Review: 3-2013
1. The appraisal of a gift to a library for tax purposes generally is the
responsibility of the donor since it is the donor who benefits from the tax
deduction. Generally, the cost of the appraisal should be borne by the donor.
2. 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.
3. To protect both its donors and itself, the library as an interested party,
ordinarily 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:
a. providing him with information such as auction records and dealers'
catalogs;
b. suggestions of appropriate professional appraisers who might be
consulted;
c. administrative and processing services which would assist the
appraiser in making an accurate evaluation.
4. 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.
5. An archivist, curator, or librarian, if he is conscious that as an expert he may
have to prove his competence in court, may properly act as an independent
appraiser of library materials. He should not in any way suggest that his
appraisal is endorsed by his library (such as by the use of the library's
letterhead), nor should he ordinarily act in this fashion (except when handling
small gifts) if his institution is to receive the donation.
Developed by the Committee on Manuscripts of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section.
Approved by the ACRL Board of Directors on February 1, 1973, in Washington, D.C.
This statement replaces the 1960 policy on appraisal
(Antiquarian Bookman, v.26, December 19, 1960, p.2205).
CHAPTER 4: Library
Statements
CODE: Policy
COMPUTER ID: LS-ST-4
Title: Statement on Appraisal of Gifts.
Effective Date: 11-24-86
Authorized By: Library Board of Trustees
Date of Last Review: 3-2013
1. The appraisal of a gift to a library for tax purposes generally is the
responsibility of the donor since it is the donor who benefits from the tax
deduction. Generally, the cost of the appraisal should be borne by the donor.
2. 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.
3. To protect both its donors and itself, the library as an interested party,
ordinarily 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:
a. providing him with information such as auction records and dealers'
catalogs;
b. suggestions of appropriate professional appraisers who might be
consulted;
c. administrative and processing services which would assist the
appraiser in making an accurate evaluation.
4. 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.
5. An archivist, curator, or librarian, if he is conscious that as an expert he may
have to prove his competence in court, may properly act as an independent
appraiser of library materials. He should not in any way suggest that his
appraisal is endorsed by his library (such as by the use of the library's
letterhead), nor should he ordinarily act in this fashion (except when handling
small gifts) if his institution is to receive the donation.
Developed by the Committee on Manuscripts of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section.
Approved by the ACRL Board of Directors on February 1, 1973, in Washington, D.C.
This statement replaces the 1960 policy on appraisal
(Antiquarian Bookman, v.26, December 19, 1960, p.2205).