Council to review plan to bring Stones N’ Bones collection to Sarnia Library

Sarnia City Council will consider a proposed agreement with the County of Lambton to house and publicly display the Stones ‘N Bones artifact collection at the Sarnia Public Library during […]

Sarnia City Council will consider a proposed agreement with the County of Lambton to house and publicly display the Stones ‘N Bones artifact collection at the Sarnia Public Library during its March 9, 2026 meeting.

A staff report recommends that council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the roles and responsibilities related to the relocation, installation, and exhibition of the collection within the existing library facility.

The County of Lambton intends to acquire the Stones ‘N Bones artifacts and has identified the Sarnia library as a suitable public venue for display. City staff have negotiated the terms of the agreement, which would establish a cooperative framework between the City and the County. 

Under the proposed MOU, the County would be responsible for all costs associated with acquiring, transporting, installing, and exhibiting the collection. This includes any interior space reconfiguration required to accommodate the artifacts, such as the relocation of library assets.

The agreement states the City of Sarnia would not contribute financially toward the purchase, transfer, maintenance, storage, or display of the collection, except through any discretionary funding programs council may choose to approve in the future, such as Municipal Accommodation Tax funding.

While the City would remain responsible for general building security under existing policies, any additional security measures required specifically for the collection would be covered by the County.

The agreement also references the possibility of certain City-led works related to the project, subject to council approval through the normal budget process and dependent on available funding. Any outdoor improvements connected to the display would be separate from the County’s relocation obligations and would only proceed if approved by council.

If the agreement is approved, a joint staff project committee would be established to coordinate project scope, timelines, and implementation.

There are no immediate financial implications identified in the report. The County plans to retain an architect to develop design concepts and costing for the project.

The recommendation will be considered by Sarnia City Council at its regular meeting on March 9. A final decision has not yet been made.