Friends of the Library
The Friends of the Hart County Library is a 501(c)3 organization, formed to promote the improvement of the facilities and services of the Hart County Library. Friends of the Library (FOTL) purchases books, periodicals, supplies, and support children's activities throughout the year. FOTL generates money through its bookstore, raffles, and other fundraisers, including their annual "Wine, Cheese & A Little Jazz" event.
In the Friends bookstore, prices are $0.25 for children's books; $1.00 for hardcovers; $0.50 for paperbacks (or three for $1.00). The bookstore is located in the lower level of the library, and the hours of operation are 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Thursday through Saturday.
Gently used book donations are welcome and fiction paperback and hardback books are most appreciated. The Friends do not accept donations of magazines, outdated textbooks/technical manuals.
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Friends of the Library Bookstore Hours:
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The Friends of the Hart County Library Bookstore is operated on the lower level of the library by Friends volunteers from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Thursday through Saturday.
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JOIN!
Please consider joining the Friends; the annual membership dues are $20.00 for an individual membership, or $30.00 for a family.
Checks may be made out to "Friends of the Library" and mailed/delivered to the
Hart County Library at 150 Benson Street, Hartwell, GA 30643.
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Monetary Donations
Monetary gifts are welcome and used to enhance programs, services, and materials for the collection.* The Library reserves the right to refuse any gift that the Board of Library Trustees, in its sole discretion, deems to be not in the best interests of the Hart County Library.
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Monetary donations may be made in the form of cash, cashier’s checks, or personal checks. Checks for monetary gifts to the library should be made payable to the Hart County Library. Monetary donations may be mailed to the library, attention of the Director. Cash donations should be made in an envelope directed to the Director. Receipts for monetary donations may be made upon request (all cash donations will receive a receipt).
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If a gift is accepted the gift shall be final; no restriction on the Library’s ownership, possession, use, or disposition of the gift shall be effective other than restrictions approved by the express vote of the Board of Library Trustees. Gifts of Materials are subject to the same principles and standards of selection that are applied to all materials added to the library's collection.
Book Donations
Gifts of Materials are subject to the same principles and standards of selection that are applied to all materials added to the library's collection. The library cannot guarantee that any gift will be part of the collection or part of the collection permanently. Items not added to the collection are recycled when possible or allocated to the Friends of the Library group for resale.
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We will honor the wishes of donors whenever possible, but the library cannot guarantee that any donation will be added to the collection and cannot follow up with the donor regarding use of the donated items. The library does not provide evaluations or appraisals of donations for tax deductions or other purposes, but will provide a receipt for any donation.
The library does not accept physical items (books, dvds, etc.) as honorary/memorial donations for bookplate recognition (see Monetary Donations).
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The Hart County Library appreciates your donation of books, movies, and/or audiobooks, etc. The statements below are called to your attention as part of the Hart County Library Board’s official policy concerning gifts.
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Items must be in “gift worthy” (good/excellent) condition and free of odor, mold and infestation. We will not accept items that are damaged, dirty, marked, worn, torn or otherwise in poor condition. The library cannot accept the following materials: magazines or newspapers, textbooks, encyclopedias, condensed books (Reader’s Digest), VHS Movies, Books on Cassette.
The appraisal of a gift to the library for income tax purposes is the responsibility of the donor since it is the donor who requires an appraisal, not the library. The library will provide a receipt for any gift. Libraries may omit from the collection materials that some patrons feel are important. In either case, the library has procedures that patrons may use in requesting the reconsideration of materials.
Memorial Donations
Celebrate a Cherished Life Through the Hart County Library Memorial Program
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The Hart County Library Memorial Program offers a meaningful and thoughtful way to honor a beloved friend, family member, or respected individual. By requesting materials to be added to the Hart County Library's collection in their memory or honor, you create a lasting tribute that will enrich the lives of others in the community.
Memorial donations must be coordinated in advance with the library’s Director. Space limitations and the cost of handling donations require Hart County Library to be selective in accepting items for donation. Please call the library at 706-376-4655 and ask for the Director to obtain a status on donations. You may be asked for a description of the material you wish to donate. Cards of acknowledgement will be sent to the donor and the honoree to the family of the person for whom the memorial was given. The book may be marked with memorial identification upon request.
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By participating in this program, you not only celebrate the life of someone special but also contribute to the growth and enrichment of the Hart County Library. Your gesture will be appreciated by countless patrons who will benefit from the added resources for years to come. It's a heartfelt way to ensure that your loved one's memory lives on while making a positive impact on the community.
Art & Artifact Donations
In general, gifts of art objects should be of local interest to the community, of a professional quality, well-executed, and in good condition. As with all other gifts, art objects will be accepted only with the donor’s full agreement that the Library has the right to handle or dispose of the gift in the best interests of the institution.
Because of the Library’s limited display and storage areas and focus on its primary mission as a library and not a museum, potential donors of art and decorative objects are requested to discuss any possible gifts with the Director and Board of Library Trustees.
No gifts posing a danger or threat to patrons will be accepted (e.g., metal sculpture with sharp, moving parts).
No gifts that require extensive, regular special care or conservation will be accepted. Hart County Library legally cannot provide an appraisal or estimate of value on any tangible property for tax purposes.
The Trustees will provide a letter acknowledging the gift and, upon request, describing the object donated for the donor’s records.
Future disposition of gifts - Libraries used extensively by their patrons sustain losses through theft, mutilation, and ordinary wear. Resources with obsolete and/or misleading information may be discarded with time. The Library, therefore, cannot guarantee that any gift will be part of the collection or furnishings permanently.
How to Donate
All donations must be arranged in advance.
Please do not drop anything off without calling first.
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Drop off hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10am-2pm.
Donations must be delivered in boxes or bags that will not be returned. Receipts are not given for material donations without previous arrangements. *It is understood that special gifts and bequests should not take the place of public support, but should enable the Library to provide and enhance the grounds, services and collections in ways not financially possible within the current municipal operating budget.
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