The Friends of the Duxbury Free Library was established with a mission to enrich the lives of every Duxbury citizen from the youngest to the oldest by promoting, advocating for, and supporting our Library.
This group was founded in 1976 by current resident Deborah Hill Bornheimer and a team of dedicated volunteers. Today, the committee consists of twelve board members who work closely with the Library Director, the Head of Children’s Services and the Young Adult Librarian. The Friends enthusiastically continue on with their mission, with current board members serving at least a two year term. Through the years, the Friends of the Library have been using their inspiration and many talents to create awareness of the library’s needs and then to meet those needs by raising funds in creative ways.
Since the first ripple of budget cuts significantly affected the library in 2003, the Friends have been committed to a number of successful fundraisers such as a ladies tea, a 1920’s gala, a 1950's casino night, a 10th anniversary celebration, and a mini-golf event within the library as well as selling books, giclee prints, bumper stickers, t-shirts and note cards -- all for community awareness and support for our library. Since 2000, the funds raised by the Friends of the Library in their yearly membership drives and special events have permitted the library to maintain its state accreditation. State accreditation is necessary for membership in the Old Colony Network, which makes it possible for library users to borrow from a wide variety of area libraries. Funds raised also provide for the materials budget and make possible many diverse and impressive programs to patrons of all ages, including many new “hot off the press” book additions to the shelves, the addition of eBooks, the exciting summer reading programs for children, and the awarding of scholarships to high school seniors who committed themselves to the Duxbury Free Teens Bookmarks Group throughout their high school years.
“The Friends provide a great service for the community,” said State Representative Daniel Webster at a previous fundraiser. “Unfortunately, there are limited resources at the state level. Where there is a void in the budget, the Friends can step in and become a terrific asset.” As the library continues to meet new challenges and confront the increased demands with less reliability on the tax dollar, the generosity of the Friends is truly essential. To define our library as one of the best and most admired in Massachusetts is absolutely achievable because of the enormous support of the Friends, whose membership includes many businesses and residents in our town. The Friends rely on the generosity of sponsors through their yearly membership drive. As a result of last year’s successful drive, the Library was eligible for additional state funds, demonstrating the whole-hearted support given by the Duxbury community to their library. After all, the library is an integral community resource we depend on to comfort, connect and continue to enrich every generation in Duxbury.
Friends of the Duxbury Free Library