Framingham Public Library Foundation Adds New Board Members

The Framingham Public Library Foundation (FPLF) has added five new members, expanding to a 12-person Board of Directors. New members are Jennifer Bellemare, Maya Eeson, Paula Pinheiro Witkin, Maria Robinson, and Gail Walker. They join existing board members Elizabeth Fideler, Mary Gallagher (Treasurer), Tim Giebelhaus, Brett Peruzzi (Marketing Chair), Jo-Anne Thompson, Christine Visminas (Clerk), and Ruth Winett (President).

FPLF board members are all residents of Framingham and have a variety of experience and backgrounds, including finance, business management, research, writing, legal, and marketing. FPLF board members have three-year staggered terms.

“When I learned that the FPLF was seeking new board members, I was thrilled,” said new board member Maya Eeson. “It was the perfect opportunity to use my legal skills and training to serve my community.”

Paula Pinheiro Witkin, a new board member, said, “I was looking for a new volunteer opportunity; something that would make a difference in Framingham and take advantage of my skills as a marketer. The FPLF was a natural fit.”

The new members join the board as the FPLF’s current capital fundraising efforts focus on the purchase, outfitting, and operation of an ADA-compliant bookmobile for the City of Framingham. The FPLF has set $150,000 as its bookmobile fundraising target and is 95% of the way to the goal. Individuals and businesses interested in helping the FPLF close the gap on this fundraising goal can make donations online or by check (details at framlibfoundation.org/donate-now.org.) The FPL Bookmobile will be staffed by library employees and will bring books and events to underserved populations in neighborhoods across the city.

New board member, Gail Walker, said, “Framingham’s ‘traveling branch’ will go where the people are. It will create library users. More importantly, it will create readers.”

“I am particularly excited about the Bookmobile project because not everyone lives next door to a library,” said new board member, Maria Robinson. “Delivering books along with free Wi-Fi access across the city will help our students have greater access to much-needed resources to excel in school and beyond.”

Jennifer Bellemare, a new board member, said, “I’m excited for the day when the Framingham Public Library’s bookmobile is rolling down the streets, encouraging both young and old to discover, or rediscover, their own joy of reading. We anticipate handing out a lot of library cards along the way.”

About Framingham Public Library Foundation

The Framingham Public Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization created by the Trustees of the Framingham Public Library, undertakes fundraising efforts for library capital projects, supplementing funding provided by the City of Framingham. Past capital projects include building the McAuliffe Branch Library and upgrades to the Costin Room audio/visual equipment at the main Framingham Library. For more information on the Framingham Public Library Foundation, or to donate to the Bookmobile Project or the Foundation’s General Fund, please visit framlibfoundation.org.