The Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library met last night to discuss schedules, funding requests and future fundraising plans. Here are some takeaways.
The library will be closed on Friday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veteran’s Day. For Thanksgiving, get your reading materials and movies by 2 p.m. on Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day Eve. The Library will be closed Nov. 24 and 25 and reopen on Saturday, Nov. 26.
FoTPL treasurer Janis Giles noted a significant increase in year-to-date spending over 2021, mostly due to more programs and funding for museum passes. Last quarter, there were 263 in-person and virtual programs presented by the Library, with 32,569 people attending.
The Friends fund about $20,000 annually in programs and supplies not covered by the town budget.
The Adopt a Book program is back as of this month. If your child has a favorite book, or you wish to donate a volume in memory of a loved one, you can ask for a book plate. Or you can simply donate to give the library some extra cash to purchase books it may not otherwise be able to afford. To adopt a book, download the form here, fill in your request or just say “go wild!” and drop it at the Library.
The popular Countdown to Christmas raffle kicks off soon for its second year. Beginning Dec. 1, the library will raffle off a gift card worth at least $10 every day through Dec. 24. Residents can donate a gift card for the raffle by dropping it at the library, either at the desk or in the drop box. Or, buy a ticket for $5 for the daily drawings. Winning tickets go back in the bucket, so you can win more than once. Watch for the link to purchase tickets soon.
Residents are reminded that they can also help by selecting the Friends as their Amazon Smile nonprofit.
Last night was the last in-person meeting until April 2023. For December through March, the Friends meetings will be on Zoom, so mark off the first Wednesday of every month. Those interested can sign up to be on the mailing list to receive the link. December’s meeting will include a discussion of 2023 Library funding, including a review of museum passes.
Finally, Tewksbury is ahead in Reading Rivals, but Library director Diane Giarrusso reminds residents not to be complacent. Reading Rivals wraps up on Nov. 23 at 12 p.m. sharp! All minutes must be reported in Beanstack, on the app or website, by that time. If you are using a paper log, please fill in all of your minutes read since October 1 and submit the completed log to the Front Desk by closing time, 9 p.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 22. The winner will be announced at the annual Tewksbury-Wilmington Thanksgiving Day football game.
Lorna Garey
Lorna is a U.S. Army veteran and 25-year resident of Tewksbury who has written for organizations ranging from the DIA to InformationWeek to a free weekly in New London that sent her to interview the pastry chef at Foxwoods.
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