2025 Session Last amended: 1983 session

§ 134.15 — Gifts

Plain-Language Summary

With governing body approval, a library board may accept gifts and donations for library purposes, including for an art gallery or museum connected to the library. The city or county can acquire land, levy taxes, and formally commit by ordinance to permanently comply with the conditions of a major gift or bequest.

134.15 GIFTS.

With the consent of the governing body of any city or county, expressed by ordinance or resolution, the library board may accept any gift, grant, devise, or bequest made or offered by any person for public library purposes, or for the establishment, enlargement, or maintenance of an art gallery or museum in connection with its library, and may carry out the conditions of the donation. The city or county in all such cases is authorized to acquire a site, levy a tax, and pledge itself by ordinance or resolution to a perpetual compliance with all the terms and conditions of the gift, grant, devise, or bequest so accepted.

History:

(5669) RL s 2263; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1983 c 314 art 11 s 9

History: History: (5669) RL s 2263; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1983 c 314 art 11 s 9

Practical Notes

If a donor wants to give significant funds to establish or expand a public library or museum, the library board needs governing body approval to accept the gift with conditions. The city or county can formally commit to honor the donor’s conditions in perpetuity by passing an ordinance — which provides legal assurance to donors making endowment gifts.

Source: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes