Jones Library Prepares for Fundraising Changing of the Guard
Graphic images: joneslibrary.org
Plans are underway to reconstitute the Joint Friends of the Jones Library-Board of Trustees Development Committee as the library prepares for its transition back to the Amity Street building in a year’s time.
Fundraising has been governed by a 2018 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that placed all activities under the auspices of the Friends of the Jones Library. This document was intended for review after three years. Trustee Lee Edwards explained at the May 14 Board of Trustees meeting that the agreement called for the efficacy of the committee to be evaluated in late 2021, but the step had fallen through the cracks. “As far as any of us can remember, that didn’t actually happen,” she said.
Edwards emphasized that the transition to the new building makes now the appropriate time to reconstitute the Development Committee and review the structure of future fundraising efforts.
The MOU guides two distinct fundraising streams: the Annual Fund, which supports yearly programming and materials, and the Capital Campaign, specifically dedicated to the building renovation and expansion project.
Annual Fund donations totaled $100,375.17 through the first 10 months of FY26. This is slightly below results for the previous two years.
Much focus in recent years has been placed on the Capital Campaign which is responsible for supporting the Trustees’ pledge to contribute $13.8 million toward the total $46.1 million appropriation for the building project.
The town’s most recent project budget report shows the library owing $9,043,331.64, with the new library scheduled to reopen in spring of 2027. The trustees are using the library endowment, currently valued at $9.4 million, to backstop the obligation.
In March the Capital Campaign reported $54,602 in pledge payments and new cash gifts, against personnel and other expenses of $11,987.
Edwards announced the welcome good news that an anonymous donor has contributed $250,000 in cash since the latest accounting. Library Director Sharon Sharry added that she just learned that the library has secured a Massachusetts Facilities Fund Grant for $200,000.
“It’s incredible, I got to say, because we weren’t even expecting a second one,” she said. Sharry thanked Capital Campaign Development Director Lisa DeGrace, and Co-Directors Kent Faerber and Lee Edwards for their work.
The trustees confirmed Lee Edwards and Eugene Goffredo as their representatives to the Joint Development Committee. Discussions over the coming months will determine the future structure and goals of fundraising efforts.
Edwards stressed the need for “serious ongoing fundraising.” It is important to understand, she said, “that the Jones Library is what it is from its very inception, the result of private philanthropy.”
Friends to Hold Public Annual Meeting on June 7 in Town Room
Miriam Walker, President of the Friends of the Jones Library, announced that the public is invited to attend the Friends’ Annual Meeting at 3pm on Sunday, June 7 in the Town Room of Town Hall. Featured speaker will be sports journalist Howard Bryant. Bryant has written 11 books including the recently published Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America.
Bryant will be in conversation with another local author, David Porter, a sports and investigative reporter known for his book Fixed: How Goodfellas Bought Boston College Basketball.
