Gifts of money, including those made in honor of someone, or in memory of someone, are welcome. The giver may give money for unrestricted use by the library or may request that books or other library materials purchased with their funds be restricted to a specific subject area.  In all cases, the library will accept the donation, and or purchase the requested items if they fit within the collection guidelines of the library system.

Gifts of objects, paintings, other art works, collections of objects, computers, furniture, unpublished manuscripts, ephemera, trees or other plants, etc., are generally not accepted.  Any exceptions must be prearranged and preapproved by the Library Director and as appropriate, the Library Commission and/or the Hunterdon County Commission.  It is recognized that the library has a different role in the Community than a museum and its archival role is limited.  In all cases, gifts of objects that are accepted must be deemed by the Library Director to enhance the library’s role in the community. Available display space and storage space for these objects and their appropriateness for the library will be factors in their consideration. 

Objects that are accepted are accepted with the understanding that the library will make appropriate decisions about their display, their continued display, and their disposal when the library cannot or no longer wishes to maintain them. In all cases, the library assumes full ownership of any gift and will not consider any objects given as long-term loans to be returned.

The library recognizes the sincerity and generosity of those who are offering gifts of objects to the library and will try to offer suggestions to the potential donor, for items the library is unable or does not want to accept, as to other more appropriate organizations which might be better able to accept such gifts.

A letter of acknowledgement will be sent to the giver, but no monetary value can be assigned by the library for any gifts, except gifts of money.

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