Greenfield public library foundation
Our Mission
The Greenfield Public Library Foundation raises funds from private sources for the purpose of supporting the mission of the Greenfield Public Library. The Foundation will work closely with the Library Director, Trustees of the Library, and Friends of the Greenfield Public Library to support the library’s emerging needs. Foundation funding is a supplement to regular taxpayer support for the Greenfield Public Library.
The Greenfield Public Library Foundation raises funds from private sources for the purpose of supporting the mission of the Greenfield Public Library. The Foundation will work closely with the Library Director, Trustees of the Library, and Friends of the Greenfield Public Library to support the library’s emerging needs. Foundation funding is a supplement to regular taxpayer support for the Greenfield Public Library.
Early architect design for the front of the new library building. Current library in the background on the left side.
Our History
The current Greenfield Public Library is housed in the historic Leavitt-Hovey House (which was designed by Asher Benjamin, the writer of the first architectural pattern book published in America) and built in 1797. In 1909 the house became home to the Greenfield Public Library. Despite receiving only general maintenance and a small renovation since then, the Greenfield Public Library strives to provide excellent information, literacy and archival services within its increasingly cramped and inadequate conditions.
In 2012, city officials and community organizers started working with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) to secure funding for a new library building.
The Greenfield Public Library Foundation was created in 2016 in response to these efforts and, more broadly, to engage the community in helping to create a new public library that will serve all residents of Franklin County.
New Library Building Project Campaign
In 2018, the MBLC awarded the City a $9,378,183 grant towards a projected construction budget of $19,541,296 for a new library building. The building project received subsequent approval from the Office of the Mayor and the City Council and, in a referendum to the City Council’s approval, a strong majority of residents voted to confirm taxpayers’ approval for the new building in November 2019.
Since its establishment in 2016, the Greenfield Public Library Foundation has undertaken an ambitious $2-million capital campaign to support the new 21st-century library and community information center that will provide social, cultural and economic benefits for Greenfield and its citizens.
The Foundation is pleased to report successful progress toward reaching our campaign goal through donations, pledges and bequests. Over the next few months and in anticipation of groundbreaking, we will continue our efforts working with donors and starting our final public appeal of this multi-year fundraising building campaign. The money raised by this campaign will support the construction of the new library, thus reducing the cost of the new library for the city of Greenfield’s taxpayers.
Please join us in bringing this project to life!
The current Greenfield Public Library is housed in the historic Leavitt-Hovey House (which was designed by Asher Benjamin, the writer of the first architectural pattern book published in America) and built in 1797. In 1909 the house became home to the Greenfield Public Library. Despite receiving only general maintenance and a small renovation since then, the Greenfield Public Library strives to provide excellent information, literacy and archival services within its increasingly cramped and inadequate conditions.
In 2012, city officials and community organizers started working with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) to secure funding for a new library building.
The Greenfield Public Library Foundation was created in 2016 in response to these efforts and, more broadly, to engage the community in helping to create a new public library that will serve all residents of Franklin County.
New Library Building Project Campaign
In 2018, the MBLC awarded the City a $9,378,183 grant towards a projected construction budget of $19,541,296 for a new library building. The building project received subsequent approval from the Office of the Mayor and the City Council and, in a referendum to the City Council’s approval, a strong majority of residents voted to confirm taxpayers’ approval for the new building in November 2019.
Since its establishment in 2016, the Greenfield Public Library Foundation has undertaken an ambitious $2-million capital campaign to support the new 21st-century library and community information center that will provide social, cultural and economic benefits for Greenfield and its citizens.
The Foundation is pleased to report successful progress toward reaching our campaign goal through donations, pledges and bequests. Over the next few months and in anticipation of groundbreaking, we will continue our efforts working with donors and starting our final public appeal of this multi-year fundraising building campaign. The money raised by this campaign will support the construction of the new library, thus reducing the cost of the new library for the city of Greenfield’s taxpayers.
Please join us in bringing this project to life!
DONOR HIGHLIGHT: What inspires someone to support the new Greenfield Public Library building?
Local artist Hale Johnson and his wife Lorraine
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A Gift of Love
Throughout their 55-year marriage, Lorraine Johnson was the supporting force behind the artistic career of her husband, Hale Johnson, his bedrock constant. The two were inseparable. Since her passing in 2016, Hale has sought a way to acknowledge Lorraine's contribution to his career as well as her volunteer work as a member of the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library. He has chosen to honor her memory by confirming a bequest to the Greenfield Public Library Foundation supporting the construction of the new library. When Hale & Lorraine settled in Colrain in the mid 60’s, Lorraine found the setting of peace and quiet that enhanced her loving and creative spirit for the rest of her life. As an avid reader, she was led to explore many interests that sprang from her wide-ranging books. The love of books continued to speak to her and in the early 2000’s she joined Friends of the Greenfield Public Library. As a member of the Friends, Lorraine worked with others in the group to elevate the many fund-raising events enabling the expansion of many library programs that proved beneficial to library patrons of all ages. From toddlers to senior citizens, library users benefitted from Lorraine Johnson’s effective efforts at the Greenfield Public Library. |
“What was distinctive about Lorraine was that in her own quiet way, with humor and grace, she engaged others in the mission of the Friends. She never wanted to be the center of attention; she gladly gave credit to others. But her own joy in books and the people who loved them too created a fresh spirit at the library and paid many unseen dividends,” writes Karen Larabee, President of the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library.
A beautiful, quiet reading area in the new library will be named in honor of Lorraine for her legacy of thoughtfulness and caring.
A beautiful, quiet reading area in the new library will be named in honor of Lorraine for her legacy of thoughtfulness and caring.
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Raising Kids to Value Books and Knowledge
“When we moved to Greenfield in 2008, one of the first things we did was to get a library card. When our kids were younger, we used to walk into town regularly, and the library was always a favorite stop. We loved being able to browse through books, sit and read together in a sunny spot, and come home with a backpack full of treasures that inspired us to read for hours more. Good memories of family trips to the library help solidify a love for books and knowledge that we believe will be invaluable as our kids grow up." "We support building a new library because we believe that a library can and should be a vital and vibrant part of a community. A modern facility with more space, more books, more activities for kids, teens, and adults could attract people to our city while providing a beautiful space and resource for all of our residents. Investing in our community in this way shows that we value knowledge, history, and culture and also that we are forward thinking, and care about our city and its residents. We can’t wait to walk in the door of the new building!” |
The Michael-Brown family enjoying some outdoor time together
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Pete Brown is a tech director and volunteers as the Chair of the Greenfield Democrats and as a School Council member at Discovery School at Four Corners. Andrea Michael is a Software Product Manager in EdTech and serves as the PTO President at Discovery School at Four Corners and Admin/Moderator of Greenfield MA Moms Facebook group.
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NEXT STEPS
As we get closer to the groundbreaking for Greenfield's new library building, the Foundation is working towards securing its $2-million goal to offset the city's costs for its tax payers. With your help, during the upcoming Community Campaign, we can reach our goal! Winter 2022-2023
2021 July-September
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