NORWICH – Guernsey Memorial Library has a great deal of thought and consideration ahead as it debates suggestions for an appropriate way of spending a large donation left to the library earlier this year.

In her passing, Mrs. Wilhelmina Henley of Guilford, in accordance with her husband Raymond Henley, left Guernsey $600,000. With no specific purpose earmarked for the donation, the library board is taking community suggestions into serious consideration as they determine a suitable use for the money.

“This was just a generous donation. It wasn’t anything we expected,” said Library Director Sarah Wiggins. She said that though Guernsey had no knowledge of Mrs. Henley’s intentions of leaving that sum of money at the library’s disposal, she is very appreciative of Henley’s benevolence.

After working closely with lawyers, “the money has been deposited and the library has the money now,” she added.

According to David Jennings, library board president, the money may likely be used for building maintenance or expansion, but he and the rest of the board will not decide until more proposals are received from local residents. Guernsey has placed a suggestion box in the library for community members to share their input.