May a damaged book belonging to a public library be donated to a patron after that patron has paid for the book’s replacement?

Modified on 2020/12/04 10:28 by Jeremy Stroud — Categorized as: FAQ, Policy

An informal AGO Opinion issued 1/26/1967, signed by Assistant Attorney General Arthur W. Verharen and addressed to Maryan E. Reynolds, states:

"While a library board's ability to sell real property is questionable, a board does possess the power to transfer title to personal property… There is no legal impediment preventing a library from giving a damaged book to a library patron after the patron has paid for the book's replacement especially in view of the broad powers vested in a library board by RCW 27.12.210."