Mission Statement

The Friends of the Swampscott Public Library is a non-profit, volunteer-run, donor-funded organization that collaborates with library staff to provide high quality resources and programming to patrons of all ages and backgrounds. We believe that our library is a vital community asset to be enjoyed now and in the future. We welcome and value the participation of anyone interested in keeping our library modern, accessible, and relevant to the needs and interests of Swampscott residents.

History

The Friends was founded in the 1960s and was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1984. The Friends continues to thrive today due to the efforts of its board and core volunteers and the ongoing generosity of its supporters.

What We Fund

  • Children’s Room programming, including summer programming and Family Night
  • Teen programming, including book groups, art classes, and local band concerts
  • A wide range of adult programming and activities
  • Author events
  • Passes to local museums
  • A bi-monthly newsletter
  • ugjghlk
  • Artwork
  • Kids game
  • Girl selecting a book
  • Swampscott Public Library
  • Artwork
  • Stacks of books
  • Child at computer
  • Books and wall art
  • Books

Officers

Co-President: Beverly Shank

Co-President: Linda Hayes

Treasurer: Ian Brock

Assistant Treasurer: Sharon Scofield

Special Benefactors

The Larry Chorover Fund

Larry Chorover was a longtime Swampscott resident and passionate library patron who established an endowed fund to support both adult and children’s programming. Although he retired to California, his donation continues to provide library patrons of all ages with the opportunity to meet well-established authors, artists, and performers. Every year the Friends sponsors a Chorover Author Series event with past participants including writers such as Lois Lowry, Dennis Lehane, and Andre Dubus III.

The Lee Golomb Cadiff Poetry Contest

Mrs. Lee Golomb Cadiff was a poet and poetry lover whose daughter, Norma Cadiff Finn, is a Swampscott resident. The Lee Golomb Cadiff Poetry Contest, held annually each February since 2004, honors her memory by recognizing outstanding poems written by middle and high school students in Swampscott. The contest culminates with a poetry reading and ceremony held at the library as well as the awarding of cash prizes. The contest is made possible through the generosity of Mrs. Finn and the cooperation of the Tin Box Poets.

The Gelfand Family Trust

The Gelfand Family Trust was earmarked for the expansion of technology education and access at the library. This generous one-time donation has enabled the Friends to purchase STEM-focused resources such as a 3D printer and iPads as well as children’s and teen programming offerings to support STEM learning.

The Mary Ellen Nestor Smith Fund

A generous donation made by the family of Mary Ellen Nestor Smith has helped the Friends expand resources and offerings in the Children’s Room with a focus on technology, including iPads and maker kits.

Libraries are our friends. — Neil Gaiman

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