$16K Gift To Marlborough Library Renew Honors Longtime Supporter

MARLBOROUGH, MA — A new five-figure donation to the ongoing $24 million renovation of the Marlborough Public Library will benefit a longtime library booster who died in 2017.

Here's more from a Friends of the Marlborough Public Library press release:

The Friends of the Marlborough Public Library presented a $16,000 gift toward the library renovation fund in memory of Ray Johnson, past president of the Friends of the Library. Ray’s term as President of the Friends began in 1972 and continued until his death in 2017. During that time, he also served as a member of the Library Board of Trustees.

Jean Peters, current President of the Friends, presented the Friends’ check and shared her memories of Ray.

"I can’t think of anyone who was as dedicated to the Friends as Ray. The Friends was a huge part of his life, and he was committed to putting on cultural events for the enrichment of our city," she said.

Ray’s dedication to the library did not wane after he moved to Bernardston. For more than two decades, he made the three-hour, round-trip commute to Marlborough for meetings and events.

"He made the trip multiple times per month and sometimes even multiple times per week," Peters said.

Library Director Margaret Cardello acknowledged Ray’s contribution to the library and the generous gift of the Friends.

"Ray Johnson was devoted to the Marlborough Public Library as both a Trustee and President of the Friends. During these exciting days of planning for the library renovation and expansion Ray’s presence is especially missed. I am pleased his name will be represented in the new facility and thank the Friends for their generous donation in his memory," Cardello said.

Events sponsored by the Friends have been a mainstay of the library’s programming. These have included guest authors Doris Kearns Goodwin, local news reporter and author Hank Phillippi Ryan and many others as part of the popular author/celebrity series. Opera performances, art exhibitions, photography shows, concerts and even an antique show have been made possible over the years by the Friends.

The Friends also runs the annual library book sale. Programming by the Friends has been suspended due to COVID 19 and during the library renovation and will resume when the renovated facility opens.

The Marlborough Public Library Foundation is raising funds as part of the capital campaign for a major renovation of the library.