VIRGINIA BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY
     COMMERCIAL DONATIONS

The library mission of making information accessible to the
public may sometimes be furthered by cooperation with a
commercial enterprise whose donation of printed material,
equipment, supplies, performers, or expertise complements and
supports a library objective.

Offers to participate in a commercial promotion, e.g. coupons,
contests, advertising, costumed characters, etc. are generally
not accepted when the sole purpose is an incentive to increased
library use.  If there is a strong and valid connection to a
specific library program, a Public Service Manager may choose to
incorporate or even solicit such an offer.  Promotional copy
which includes any information about the library, e.g. addresses,
hours, services, or regulations, must be submitted to the
Director's office prior to printing.  Any material to be given
out to the public within the library must meet the guidelines of
the Policy For the Free Giveaway of Materials to the Public.

Commercial donations may be accompanied by a donor statement or
acknowledged in print by the library.  Such a statement shall not
include additional advertising.  The library accepts no
obligation to a commercial establishment that has made a
donation, believing that the favorable corporate image created by
the donation is sufficient.

In the case of children's programming, the library particularly
avoids discount coupons or other promotional materials that
require a purchase in order to receive the benefit.

If a company representative is used in a library sponsored
program, this person's role will be established in advance and
will not include advertising of the company.

Offers of commercial support should be referred to a Public
Services Manager or to the Assistant Director.  In general,
decisions on commercial donations will be made on an
agency-by-agency basis to ensure that only those which are
appropriate are used.