The Trustees and the Director of the Abbot Public Library invite your financial support and volunteer efforts as we work to envision a library for the 21st century to serve all of Marblehead’s citizens. Since our beginning in 1878, we have been dependent on the generosity of our citizens to maintain and improve our collections, facilities, and programming. We hope you will want to join with us as we continue this tradition.
The Library offers 3 main vehicles for tax exempt contributions.
- ABBOT PUBLIC LIBRARY FUND, INC.:
This fund was established in 2015 to provide the Library with a nonprofit arm to support its major capital campaign effort to renovate or rebuild the library over the next 8 years. This fund can accept cash, stocks or bequests.
For more information on this Fund, please contact Trustee, Nancy Perkins Arata at abbotlibrary140@gmail.com.
- THE SECOND CENTURY FUND:
This is an endowment fund established in 1992 that is dedicated to supporting the Library, providing resources restricted to collections, materials and access. As an endowment, the permanent fund generates income to supplement, not to replace, public support provided by the Town of Marblehead.
For more information on this Fund, please contact Second Century Fund Trustee, Paul Taylor at ptaylor@paultaylorcpa.com.
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As an endowment, the permanent fund generates income to supplement, not to replace, public support provided by the Town of Marblehead, ensuring that the Library’s collections meet outstanding levels of breadth and currency that best serves its citizens. Since its inception, the fund has responded to a variety of librarian requests and initiatives: a threatening escalation in periodical prices, the first CD-ROMs, the first DVDs, and the first Audio Books for young adults, a unique art encyclopedia, and a need for updated projection/screening equipment, among many others.
The Abbot Public Library has a proud tradition of public and private support that can be traced from its beginnings in 1878 with the founding gift from Benjamin Abbot. The Second Century Fund was started in 1994 and has raised close to $750,000.00 under the leadership of Judith P. Eissner, its chair. Contributions in any amount to the fund are most welcome. All donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
For more information or inquiries about the Second Century Fund and the continuing endowment of Abbot Public Library, please contact Trustee, Paul Taylort at ptaylor@paultaylorcpa.com
Gifts to the Second Century Fund should be addressed to Second Century Fund, c/o Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA 01945.
- FRIENDS OF THE ABBOT PUBLIC LIBRARY:
This is both a fundraising and volunteer organization. It raises annual operating money for the support of children, teen and adult programming at the Library and also funds the Museum Pass program and the software to manage the program. The majority of funds raised are from the quarterly book sales that the Friends coordinate annually. The Friends are always looking for volunteers to join their efforts. You can find out more about the Friends by contacting friendsofabbotlibrary@gmail.com.
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The Friends of Abbot Public Library is a group that works very hard to support Abbot Library. There is a growing core group of loyal workers who are always willing to welcome new people, and there are people who provide financial support only. The Friends sponsor four book sales a year. They have a very substantial Statement of Purpose, which reads:
- To further community awareness and use of the library.
- To sponsor programs designed to add to the cultural life of the community.
- To provide direct financial assistance by purchasing for the library special and unusual items which cannot be purchased from the budget.
- To encourage gifts, endowments and memorials for the library.
- To aid in public relations by informing the community about the library’s services and problems.
- To communicate the needs of the community to the staff and library board.
- To call public attention to outstanding achievements of the library.
- To work for library legislation or appropriations.
The current officers of the Friends of the Library are:
President: Sue Ball 781-631-4049 sueball@verizon.net
Treasurer: Barbara Naeser 781-990-1380 bsnaeser@comcast.net
Secretary: Chris Arren 781-449-4228 c_arren@yahoo.com
Membership: Janice Goransson 781-631-6511 goransson@verizon.net
Bookstore/Booksales: Christine van Gemert 781-639-1061 clvang@netzero.net
SPECIAL OCCASION DONATIONS
If you would like to mark a special occasion — birthday, marriage, anniversary, memorial or other occasion — by having the Library purchase books and inserting a bookplate with your chosen text, please contact Library Director Kimberly Grad at kgrad@noblenet.org.
