Gift materials that enhance the collection according to the guidelines of "Criteria for Selection" may be added to the collection. Not all gifts will be recommended for retention. If a gift is integrated into the collection, the Library reserves the right to decide the conditions of display, housing, access, and withdrawal of the material. Accepted material will be designated by as special bookplate with an appropriate inscription. Unaccepted material will be returned to the donor with a brief explanation of why the item is unsuitable for the collection.

In the interest of protecting the individual's right to have access to materials, the NMH Library supports and is guided by the following documents (see appendices for full text):

- The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
- The Library Bill of Rights by the American Library Association (ALA)
- Freedom to Read Statement (ALA)
- Labels and Rating Systems (ALA)
- Evaluating Library Collections (ALA)

Over 4,500 print reference titles and access to e-reference works to support academic and informational needs of the NMH community

Over 200 subscriptions to print periodicals, from scholarly journals, daily papers, weekly news magazines to popular titles. Click here for current list.

Electronic access to thousands of periodical titles, recent and historic, through the library’s subscription to magazine and newspaper databases. 

Course related reserve materials, including textbooks, are available for use in the library. Click here to see the list of reserve materials.

Reserves must be returned the same day as borrowed.

Faculty: to place course materials on reserve contact Patricia O'Brien at x3484.

A leased collection of current bestsellers and popular titles to provide leisure reading for the campus community.

New titles are added monthly.

These books generally do not become part of the permanent collection.  However, the library may choose to retain those which prove to have lasting value.

The Conly Children’s Room serves faculty and staff families, as well as NMH students. The collection of nearly 2000 items contains board books for babies, picture books, movies, non-fiction and novels, for children through 6th grade.

• Audiobooks: Whether literary classics, fun fiction or works of intriguing fact, audiobooks are an enjoyable, accessible alternative to print. The NMH audio collection of over 150 titles includes:
  - Books on CD
  - Playaways – books in portable Mp3 format
  - Audible.com on an iPod – requested titles downloaded to a library ipod users check out, just like a library book.
  
• Movies: Over 3000 titles available to borrow including documentaries and feature films, classics and new releases. Films may be reserved for classroom use. Contact: Pat Hasanbasic at x3257.
• Music: Over 1000 titles. Genres include: classical, blues, jazz, rock, folk, world.
  Online music reference databases:
  - African American Song
  - Classical Music Library
  - Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries 

The NMH Archives is both a general resource and a teaching resource. The goal of the archives is to promote knowledge and understanding of the origins, aims, programs, people, and the development of Northfield Mount Hermon School, from its beginning in 1879 to the present day. The archives collects, organizes, conserves, and makes available records of both official and informal school life.

- Books
- Media
- Compact Discs