Friends of the Library

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