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Friends of the Library
Book Donation infomation:
Books may also be dropped off in the white metal donation bins in the library parking lot (School street side, abutting playing fields). PLEASE NOTE: While the Friends cannot use these items for its used books sales, the bins will remain in the parking lot as a recycling option if a return to stricter pandemic protocols is necessary.
The Friends of the Weston Public Library is a volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to fostering the development of a vibrant public library which serves as an educational and cultural center for the town. The Friends encourage community engagement with the library by supporting programs, services, and resources not covered by the town budget.
The Friends hold annual membership drives, semi-annual Book and Bake Sales (November and June), and an ongoing book sale (book cart in the library entrance). One hundred percent of funds raised through these efforts support library programs, services, and resources such as, author talks, museum passes, children’s programming, the Music Committee Concert Series, library staff continuing education, the Local History Room, downloadable books and music, and equipment and furniture upgrades. In FY2020, the Friends raised just over $54,000 for the library.
Since 1965, the Friends of the Weston Public Library has channeled the generosity of our community into the continued growth of the library, helping it meet the town’s evolving needs. When a group of Weston residents founded the Friends over five decades ago, the library was enjoying a growth spurt: in 1957, the library turned 100 and reported the highest circulation rate per capita in the state, and in 1970, reported one of the highest circulation rates per capita in the country!
As the library expanded its services during the following two decades, the Friends served as an advocacy and fundraising arm, cultivating a membership base, holding book sales, publishing newsletters, offering delivery service to the homebound, sponsoring programs, funding museum passes, and, after a thirty year long process, helping the library settle into a much needed larger space. In 1995, the “new library” opened its doors at 87 School Street. The Friends helped commemorate this new chapter in library history with a Grand Opening celebration.
In 2019, the Friends supported another exciting development - the creation of the library’s makerspace branch, the Weston Art & Innovation Center. The Friends gave the AIC a $25,000 grant and helped celebrate the Grand Opening of the new space in the beautifully restored Old Library at 356 Boston Post Road.
Friends of the Weston Library Historical Highlights:
- 1965 - Founding of the Friends
- 1978 - First Book Sale
- 1993 - Book Sale becomes an annual event.
- 1995 - Grand Opening of new library at 87 School Street
- 2001 - Book Cart sales began.
- 2005 - Bake Sale added to Annual Book Sale.
- 2009 - Music Committee became part of the Friends.
- 2015 - Friends 50th Anniversary
- 2019 - Grand Opening of the Weston Art & Innovation Center at 356 Boston Post Road
Friends of the Weston Public Library Board 2020-2021
Officers
Camille Schmidek, President
Peg Ober, Treasurer
Marion Packs, Secretary
AIC Liaison
Debbi Darling
Bake Sale
Aida Arain Alam, Chair
Book Sale
Michelle Deng, Co-Chair
Debbie Boshart, Co-Chair
Marge Ackerman
Susan Scott
Jenny Tulloss
Children’s Book Sale
Lori Glazier, Co-Chair
Kim Highfield, Co-Chair
Melissa Madias
Laura Wilson
Membership
Kay Wynant
Music Committee Liaison
Camille Schmidek
Newsletter
Vinda Souza
Amy Olivier
Nominating
Emma Kwon
Publicity/Communications
Tina Kurkjian
Special Events
Julianna Kaden
Trustee Liaison
Susan Scott
At Large
Stephanie Goldstein
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Join the Friends
Join the Friends of the Weston Public Library or renew a membership.
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Friends of the Library Newsletter
View an archive of recent Friends of the Weston Public Library Newsletter
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Donate
The Friends gratefully accept book and monetary donations. Find out more.
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Music Committee
The Music Committee promotes the appreciation and love of music and to expand the cultural opportunities available in Weston by enabling the Library to present a variety of musical programs which are free and open to the public. Learn more.
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Book & Bake Sale