Donations

Your gifts to the library make it possible for us to expand collections, enhance programs for the public, and much more. Thank you for thinking of the library and helping us to enrich and empower our community.

Materials

The library accepts donations of materials including books, movies, and music in good condition. Donated items are added to the book sale or the library’s collection.

Small donations—no more than three medium-sized boxes or paper grocery bags at a time—may be dropped off in the donation bin in the lobby. Please do not leave items outside the donation bin or place them in the book return. For assistance with larger donations call (217) 753-4900 ext. 5602 to arrange a drop off time. Tax deduction slips are available by request, but we cannot assign a value to your items.

We accept:

  • New or gently used hardcover and paperback books (see exceptions below)
  • Audiovisual materials (Blu-ray, DVD, CD, vinyl albums, audiobooks) in good condition

We do NOT accept:

  • Moldy or damaged items, including books with missing covers or pages, broken spines, or containing handwriting or highlighting
  • Textbooks, encyclopedias, law, statute and regulation books
  • Magazines and catalogs
  • Homemade DVDs or CDs
  • Video games
  • VHS tapes
  • Cassette tapes
  • Reader’s Digest condensed books
  • Nonfiction books more than 10 years old
  • Medical, computer, and travel guides more than 3 years old

All donations are subject to approval. We reserve the right to decline a donation that is not consistent with the policies, programs, and interests of the library. 

Monetary Donations

Lincoln Library greatly appreciates monetary donations of any size.

There are multiple ways to support the library through monetary donations: