Almost two decades after the Second Century Fund of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library helped grow widespread public support for the library’s major expansion and renovation, raising $740,000 in private donations to offset the project’s cost to the town, they continue to raise funds for the library’s capital needs, which are upon us once again.
Our library needs refreshing—from new technology to collaborative workspaces to new armchairs. In October, the Second Century Fund donated $50,000 to the town to conduct the architectural study that will help shape the future of our library, ensuring that it will continue to be the vibrant and vital resource our community needs in the 21st century.
The architectural firm of TLB Architecture presented 2 preliminary plans for improvements to WTML to the public in May. The preliminary plans call for updating the current spaces in the library to be more in line with modern usage and one of the plans includes an addition to provide more programing spaces. The way libraries are used has changed and now involve many more methods of informing and entertaining the public, as a society we no longer use just books for pleasure, research, and work. These plans reflect that fact of modern life and strive to provide spaces for all types of uses into the future. We anticipate one of the architects will be in attendance at The Gala at the Boathouse so that our donors can talk about the proposed changes to our library.
This is your opportunity to support the WTML and our efforts: by attending our fundraiser: THE GALA at the Boathouse on Saturday, October 24, 2015. We will offer dinner, wine & beer, and a guest speaker. Tickets will go on sale later this summer and we have many exciting ways for the community to participate including donations of in-kind items for an auction, buying an ad for THE GALA program, and becoming a sponsor. Please consider supporting our efforts and participating in what is sure to be entertaining evening.
The board of the Second Century Fund is composed of town residents who volunteer our time and energy to offer you free community book talks, cultural activities, and a variety of galas celebrating writers who are right here in our midst. Recent speakers we have hosted are Paul Krantz, Jr.; Chris Lemmon; Wally Lamb (twice); Susan Campbell; and Amy Bloom. However, fundraising for library improvements is our main mission.
Please check our website at wtmlsecondcenturyfund.org, follow our Facebook page at Welles-Turner Memorial Library Second Century Fund, the local papers, and the library newsletter for addition details as they become available. For more information feel free to send an email to GalaBoathouse.2015@gmail.com.
