Donations

Donations

Our Community Makes All the Difference

We truly love our community — your generosity, your involvement, and your desire to help the library grow. Many patrons ask how they can help, and this page gives a simple overview of the ways you can give back. Every donation, big or small, helps us give back and continue service YOU – the heart of our community.

Donation Guidelines

We want to make donating easy and respectful of everyone’s time and space. These guidelines help us process items smoothly and keep our collections safe.

Before Donating

  • Please check with the library first A quick call or visit ensures we have space and can accept your items.

Preparing Your Items

We greatly appreciate when patrons are able to lightly clean items before donating. We understand that sometimes this isn’t possible. However, when you can, it helps us tremendously if items are free of:

  • Dust
  • Debris
  • Hair
  • Cobwebs
  • Bookmarks or loose papers
  • Feathers (yes, we’ve truly received books with feathers tucked inside!)
  • Or anything else that may make the item(s) less presentable or ready for use

What we cannot accept

  • Encyclopedias
  • Items with significant damage (mold, water damage, falling apart)
  • Items with many missing parts or that are no longer usable
  • Materials that are outdated or no longer relevant today

What we can accept

We gladly accept items that are new, like new, or gently used. These donations help us expand our collections, support youth programs, and provide resources for families.

Accepted Donations

  • Books Preferably new, currently popular, or in excellent condition.
  • Homeschool Materials New or lightly used curriculum, workbooks, manipulatives, and educational tools.
  • Games & Puzzles Gently used items are welcome. A few missing pieces or light markings are okay — we simply ask that the item is still usable and enjoyable.
  • Office Supplies Paper, pens, markers, folders, tape, and other everyday essentials.
  • Cleaning Supplies Wipes, sprays, paper towels, and other items that help us maintain a clean space.
  • New or Like‑New Toys & Electronics Used for youth giveaways, reading incentives, and special events.
  • Business Donations Local businesses may donate gift cards or merchandise for teen prizes, volunteer appreciation, or community raffles.
  • Items for Fundraisers We accept a wide variety of items for our semi‑annual silent auction and annual yard sale, including:
    • Household items
    • Handcrafted goods
    • Decor
    • Kitchen items
    • Most general merchandise (We prefer no clothing items.)

Please check with us first before dropping off anything.

Other Ways to Support the Library

Participate in Fundraisers

Joining our fundraiser events is a fun and meaningful way to give back. Check out upcoming events or our Facebook page. to see how you can get involved.

Volunteer Your Time

Volunteers help with programs, organizing materials, youth activities, and more. Learn about volunteer opportunities or contact us directly for details.

Reserve Our Pavilion or Conference Room

Reserving the conference room or pavilion helps support the library, as each reservation includes a donation that goes directly toward library services. Learn how to reserve a space for your gathering or program here.

Special Event Requests

Occasionally we request specific items for special programs or community events. These will be posted on our Facebook page.

Supporting Other Local Organizations

We are proud to be able to assist We are proud to help support other local organizations that serve our community. We currently accept donations for the Amazing Grace Food Pantry and the Hampshire County Animal Shelter. These items go directly to the organizations and help meet real needs for local families and pets. See the lists below for more details on the types of items accepted.

Amazing Grace Food Pantry

We accept non‑perishable food items for the Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Capon Bridge. Examples of non‑perishable items include:

  • Canned vegetables
  • Canned fruits
  • Canned soups
  • Pasta and rice
  • Peanut butter
  • Shelf‑stable milk
  • Cereal and oatmeal
  • Canned meats (tuna, chicken, etc.)

Each February, we also host our annual Soup‑er Bowl collection, focusing specifically on non‑perishable soups to help stock the pantry during the winter months.

Hampshire County Animal Shelter

We accept select items for the Hampshire County Animal Shelter in Augusta. These donations help provide comfort, enrichment, and care for local animals while they wait for adoption.

Examples of items we can accept include:

  • Pet food
  • Treats
  • Toys
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Clean used towels, blankets, or sheets

If you have questions about donating to our neighbors, please contact us. We’re always happy to help you support our community in meaningful ways. If you’re a local organization in need and would like assistance through our donation drop‑off, please reach out — we’re happy to explore how we can help.