Campaign Message from Library Board of Trustees Chair

Dear Marbleheaders,

As many of you may know, the Library Board and Staff have been studying options for updating our facility for the last seven years. We are now in the position of acting on all that work by combining the urgent need to replace all our infrastructure systems with a plan to reallocate and redesign space to meet the demands of 21st century users. Our proposed $9 million campaign will not expand the library’s footprint, but it will totally transform the space inside with expanded and robust technology, learning nooks, a fireside reading and coffee area, a young adult area, a “maker space” project room, a business center, a quiet reading room, access to our garden, and an information zone.

We started this change with a complete make over a year ago of the Children’s Room, thanks largely to the Killam Trust, and of the Meeting Room, supported by the Shattuck, Morse and Ingalls Funds. All the architectural planning to date has been paid for by privately raised funds. The response to the newly renovated spaces has been astounding. Attendance is up and enthusiasm is obvious. We know that we can replicate that experience for library patrons with the spaces and services that we have in mind as part of this ambitious plan.

We now turn to our community, as the Library has always done since it was established in 1878, and ask for your support, as a donor or a community advocate. The library is the heart or our town and remains one of our most used public facilities, connecting and educating our community for free. All you need is interest and a library card!

I look forward to you joining us on this journey.

Warm regards,

Phyllis Smith
Chair

Why We Need To Renovate Our Library Now

The Town of Marblehead faces critical infrastructure needs at the Library (last updated in 1989)

Elevator • Electrical • Fire Alarm & Protection • HVAC • ADA Access • Stairs • Surface Storm Run-0ff • Parking Lot

The Town of Marblehead deserves a first-class library that offers up-to-date services, in a facility which is comfortable and has diverse settings for patrons of all ages

The current site is preferred by most community members because of its central location on the bus line and proximity to schools
The current space is adequate for our needs, but must be redesigned & renovated to serve 21st century demands

What We Propose To Do

Attend simultaneously to critical infrastructure replacement and to the redesign/renovation of the Library

Entry Station • Fireplace Café • Information Zone • Quiet Nooks • Meeting Areas / Study Spaces / Tutor Areas • Teen Center • Maker Space • Garden Access • More and improved technology platforms

How We Propose To Do It

Continue a long-standing Marblehead practice of funding the Library through a combination of private & public funds

GOAL

$9 million: $2 million from private sources + $7 million from town override

Timeline

18 month fund-raising campaign with small informative gatherings at private homes, collecting cash and pledges which will be re-confirmed with Town-wide approval for municipal funding of the project

18 month advocacy campaign for the library organized by community leaders
Preview presentation at the May, 2019 Town Meeting, of things to come at the Library

Action Article at the May, 2020 Town Meeting requesting funding & presenting private pledges

Begin construction in 2021, to be completed by 2022

Unrestricted Gift to the Priorities of the Campaign
A gift whereby the donor authorizes the Library Board to decide how the money will be used to meet the priorities of the Campaign

Cash
Pledge (to be completed by May, 2021)
Online

$250K Killam Challenge Grant for the Young Adult Center
A grant made on the condition that other contributions will be secured, in this case on a 1:1 basis, and within a specified period of time. The objective is to encourage expanded giving from additional sources in the community

Cash
Pledge (to be completed by May, 2021)
Online

For Name Giving Opportunities and Further Information contact
Nancy Arata at abbotlibrary140@gmail.com or 781-639-0051

All gifts are made payable to: The Abbot Public Library Fund, Inc.
Send to: PO Box 1409, Marblehead, MA. 01945

We accept cash, pledges, and gifts of stock • All gifts are fully tax deductible