Event Details
Friends Annual Gift to Blackstone Library Sets New Record!
At the recent annual meeting of the Friends of the James Blackstone Memorial Library (JBML) Friends President Barbara Barrett presented a $90,000 check to Katy McNichol, Library Director. The considerable gift, donated on behalf of Friends, marked an incredibly successful year of fund-raising through book sale events, on-line sales, and a holiday basket sale. Communitywide donations of thousands of books each year and the dedicated, enthusiastic effort of over 70 volunteers to curate those books make such a record setting donation possible.
In the gift presentation, Friends President Barrett recognized “That it takes a village. Everything Friends accomplished this year would not have been possible without the support to the Friends Board, our Membership, many who are dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly all year, the Library Director and the staff, Library Trustees, our sponsors and of course our wonderful community.”
Blackstone Library Director McNichol expressed deep appreciation for the generous gift and outlined the essential and meaningful ways in which it will continue to impact the library and community-at-large. Over 150 sponsored programs for children and adults including musical, educational and creative programs were provided by Friends support in the year to date. Offerings such as discounted museum passes, films, Science Saturdays, 3D printer, the Library of Things, Best Seller Book Club, Quick Pics, staff development, educational instruction and the popular all-ages Summer Reading/Learning Challenge are but some of the dynamic and exciting ways the JBML can engage and enrich the community through the Friends gift.
Looking forward, the attendees at the Friends annual meeting were reminded that the 2026 Friends Annual Fall Book Sale has a new location - the upper lot of the Branford Train Station, 35 Maple St. All are invited to shop from September 17th through September 20th for the same wonderful selections at the same great prices!
The Friends of the James Blackstone Memorial Library is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the library.
Contact us at friends@blackstonelibrary.org. 203-488-1441 x318