NBPL 3

The Newport Beach Public Library Board of Library Trustees (Board) encourages and welcomes gifts and bequests to the Newport Beach Public Library (Library). Gifts may be given to the Library, the Library Foundation of Newport Beach (Foundation), and/or the Friends of the Newport Beach Public Library (Friends).

It is the position of the Board that gifts and bequests given to the Library shall be used to supplement those funds appropriated for use by the Library and shall not in any way supplant such funds appropriated for Library salaries and maintenance and operations of the Library.

Foundation Gifts

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) institutionally related independent foundation. The Foundation solicits funds, conducts programs, and disburses grant monies for the benefit of the Library.

All donors who contribute to the Foundation shall be recognized in a manner as designated by the Foundation.

All service clubs, Parent Teacher Associations, schools, or other organizations who collectively donate $2,500 or more shall be recognized by the organizational name.

Dedication opportunities exist for those donors who make gifts to specific areas of the Library. Gifts to fund specific collections or areas of the Library must be reviewed and approved by the Board and be compatible with Library Policy NBPL 2, Collection Development Policy. Items purchased for a specific subject will not be kept separately but will be integrated into the collection.

Recognition of pledges to fund special collections or areas of the Library shall be based upon the total amount pledged. Donor gifts of $25,000 or greater shall have no more than five years to complete the pledge. If the pledge is not fulfilled, the Board has the right to rescind recognition. Appropriate recognition of items will be given to donors at the discretion of the Foundation. Any modification to the foregoing dollar amounts and exception to this policy concerning gifts to the Foundation to fund specific collections or areas of the Library will require the express approval of the Board.

Donor Recognition Walls

A donor recognition wall consists of a listing of the name of a person (or persons) or a company that contributed funds to a capital campaign or other major fundraising. The fundamental purposes of a donor recognition wall are to honor the major financial contributors of an organization, and to serve as an incentive for potential donors to contribute. The Foundation has established the funding level for each designated donor wall. The Board-approved donor recognition walls within the Central Library, which are still available as of the date that this policy was last amended and are shown on the attached diagram, include the following locations:

• Children's Activities Area ($500,000)
• Media Center ($250,000)
• Sound Lab ($75,000)
• Media Lab ($100,000)
• Grand Stairway ($500,000)
• Second Floor Reading/Study Area (East Side) ($150,000)
• Second Floor Self-Checkout Area ($200,000)

The Board-approved guidelines for the letter size and banner length of the donor recognition walls are as follows:

• Children's Activities Area: 2.5" letters up to 13' banner length
• Media Center: 2" letters up to 10' banner length
• Sound Lab: 2" letters up to 5' banner length
• Media Lab: 2” letters up to 8’ banner length
• Grand Stairway: 3" letters up to 13' banner length
• Second Floor Reading/Study Area (East Side): 2.5" letters up to 13' banner length
• Second Floor Self-Checkout Area: 2" letters up to 8' banner length to be located above the video screen

Guidelines for the lettering on donor walls is limited to a single line, with the exception of “Second Floor Reading/Study Area (West Side)”, which already serves as a donor recognition wall and is no longer available. The design and content of donor recognition walls, consisting of stainless-steel lettering that adheres to the size of letters and the single line banner length parameters must be reviewed and approved by the Board. Donors shall have no control over the size, location, materials, or any other aspect of the recognition sign.

Recognition shall be permanent unless a corresponding pledge is not fulfilled over five years. Additional names shall not be added to a named wall. If a pledge payment is not paid within 90 days following written notice to the most recent address provided to the Foundation, the Board shall have the right to remove the name recognition. No payments made prior to that time shall be refundable in any event. If the pledge payment is due from an estate settlement, the estate shall have up to three years from the date of the pledge payment date to fulfill the pledge.

In the event that the area of the Library with the donor's name is significantly renovated, demolished, or is no longer used for Library purposes, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the Foundation and the Board will work with the donor, or the donor’s designee, successor or assigns to determine another appropriate form of recognition for the support provided by the gift. In such case, any payments not yet paid by the donor shall no longer be due.

Any modification to the foregoing dollar amounts or to the letter size and banner length, or any exception to this policy concerning donor recognition walls will require the express approval of the Board.

Friends Gifts

The Friends is an Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) organization.

The Friends accept donations of used books and other materials to be sold in the Friends Bookstore. The disposition of donated books is determined by the Bookstore Manager. Other gifts offered to the Friends will be reviewed and considered for acceptance by the Friends. Recognition of donations shall be recommended by the Friends and considered for approval by the Board.

Library Gifts

All donations of gifts and property not covered by Library Policy NBPL 2 and offered directly to the Library will be reviewed and approved by the Board. Gifts to the Library are tax deductible. Recognition of donations by plaques, signage or other permanent display shall be approved by the Board.

Dedication opportunities exist for those donors who make gifts to specific areas of the Library. Gifts to fund specific collections or areas of the Library must be reviewed and approved by the Board and be compatible with Library Policy NBPL 2. Items purchased for a specific subject will not be kept separately but will be integrated into the collection.

The ultimate disposition of gifts, including the right to decide the time and place for display and use, lies within the sole province of the Board.

Adopted March 11, 1991

Amended October 28, 1991

Amended February 10, 1992

Amended January 24, 1994

Amended March 9, 1998

Reassigned April 8, 2003

Amended October 18, 2005

Amended October 10, 2006

Amended August 20, 2018

Amended January 21, 2020

Amended February 22, 2022

Amended February 26, 2024

Amended March 16, 2026

Formerly 0-8

Formerly 1-17

Formerly I-4

Formerly I-5 

This Policy will be periodically reviewed by the Board of Library Trustees on the first to occur of (i) as circumstances may require or (ii) every two years from the date of adoption, last amendment, or last review. Adopted, last amended, or last reviewed on March 16, 2026.