Gifts of Materials
Conditions of Acceptance
Proposed gifts of books, photos, or other documentary items are accepted by the
Library when the acquisition will support the Library’s mission to document
the history of San Antonio and South Central Texas with an emphasis on historic
buildings, objects, places, and customs, in accordance with the Library’s
Collection Development Policy. Gifts of artwork, textiles, furniture, or other realia
should be made to the Society’s Properties Accession Committee.
Library gifts are accepted with the understanding that they become the property
of the Society to be used for the benefit of the Library. This use includes the
option of disposal via gift to, or exchange with, other libraries, sale by the Society,
or other appropriate means.
Receipt of Gifts
Gifts will be acknowledged to each donor in writing and in the electronic record
created for each item accessioned into the Library’s collection. However,
donors should create their own gift inventory to keep for their records. Gifts placed
in the Library will be identified with a donor gift plate only when requested.
Assigning Value to Gifts
In keeping with professional guidelines and federal law, the Library cannot be responsible
for the evaluation or appraisal of gifts, nor for assigning value to gifts for tax
credit purposes. The Library recommends that the donor contact a professional appraiser
and/or appropriate financial or legal advisors, as necessary. U.S. Internal Revenue
Services publications regarding tax credits are available on the IRS website at
http://www.irs.gov.
Monetary Gifts
Monetary gifts to the Society Foundation may be designated for the Library. All
donations of this type are appreciatively acknowledged. The materials purchased
are identified with a gift plate, if requested, and included in a list of memorials.
Anyone who wishes the Library to add a book or other item in honor, or in memory,
of an individual should send a check to the San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation.
The Librarian will select a title to add to the Library. You may request a general
subject area within the collection guidelines from which the book will be selected.
If you request a gift plate, please specify the message you would like to appear
on the gift plate.
While there is no monetary minimum for general fund donations on behalf of the Foundation
Library, the cost of a typical hardback book ranges from $30.00 to $50.00. The Library
tries to match donation amount to price of materials.
Volunteer Opportunties at the Library
The Conservation Society library is a unique resource for research, focusing primarily
on the history of San Antonio and its built and natural environment. The library
houses a variety of collections, including books, clippings files, photographs,
maps, architectural drawings, and oral histories. One full-time librarian oversees
the daily operations of the library, assisted by a small group of dedicated volunteers.
Volunteers not only assist with research requests as needed, but also perform many
of the “behind-the-scenes” tasks required to keep the library functioning.
Typical projects include cataloging, collection inventory, filing and photocopying
to preserve deteriorating newspaper articles. Although computer skills are useful,
they are only required for certain projects.
The library is open to Society members, as well as to the public, Monday through
Thursday from 9:30 to 3:30. We ask our volunteers to assist with covering as much
of this time period as they can manage for one day each week. Commitment to a regular
schedule is very important. Because the library is located on the third floor of
the historic Wulff House, volunteers must also be able to climb stairs.
The library is looking for volunteers, particularly on Tues and Thurs. Projects
range from photocopying and filing clippings to entering information about various
collections into our cataloging database. We could especially use help with the
photo collection.
Please contact the librarian, Beth Standifird, at 224-6163 or
bstandifird@saconservation.org,if you are interested.