WHO WE ARE
MISSION
The Reading Public Library Foundation was established in 1996 to enhance library services and collections. Foundation monies are not used to replace or in any way substitute for funds historically provided by the Town to support the Library.
The Foundation is an IRS 501c(3) charitable organization, and all contributions are tax deductible. The Foundation has a governing Board of Directors who oversees the preservation of the endowment and annually recommends the transfer of earnings from our investments to the Town. This enables Library to offer programs, services, events, and other projects that otherwise could not be offered.
GOAL AND FUNDRAISING
The goal of the Foundation is a minimum $1 million endowment. More than half of that amount has been realized through the pledges and donations of individual citizens, organizations, and businesses. Our Charter Member Drive provided initial funds and our annual campaign takes place each November. In 2008, the Foundation established a Charitable Gift Annuity program that creates an annuity for donors in return for their gifts of securities or monies. The Foundation has also solicited grants from a number of corporate charitable foundations.
In conjunction with the Helen Nigro Speaker Series, The Foundation has sponsored a number of guest speakers as a means of bringing noteworthy authors and lecturers to our town, gaining public awareness for the Foundation, and raising additional funds. We are proud to have sponsored prize-winning authors whose works are well-know to the reading public. These speakers, and some of their works, include:
Mary McGarry Morris –Spoke about her just-released book and about Songs in Ordinary Time, an Oprah book selection – 2009
Mark Feeney – Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for the Boston Globe and Reading native – 2008
Nathaniel Philbrick – spoke about his award-winning book, Mayflower – 2007
Tracy Kidder –A Pulitzer Prize winner, he spoke about the very topical book Mountains Beyond Mountains – 2005
Anchee Min – noted author of Becoming Madam Mao – 2004
Barry & Eliot Tatelman spoke to us when Jordan’s Furniture came to town – 2004
Mary Ann Esposito – Ciao Italia chef and author – 2003
Jimmy Tingle – humorist and 60 Minutes contributor – 2003
Jan Schlichtmann – attorney whose work is the basis for A Civil Action – 2001
Dennis Lehane – noted local author of Gone, Baby, Gone – 1999
Doris Kearns Goodwin – noted author and presidential historian – 1998
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The following local citizens are members of the Board:
- Bill Hecht, Sr. President
- Bob Nordstrand, Vice President
- Amy Coumounduros, Treasurer
- Neil Cohen, Secretary
- Bill Anthony
- Bruce Austin
- John Brzezenski
- Lynne Cameron
- Dick Curtis
- Jerry Fiore
- Russ Graham
- Gene Nigro
- Maria Silvaggi
The Board is comprised of community leaders with a variety of backgrounds including: banking, investments, accounting, social services, corporate real estate, small business, education, and law. The Board is advised on legal matters through its counsel, Raymond Couture, a noted local attorney who volunteers his time and services.
INVESTMENTS
The Board is responsible for overseeing the preservation and allocation of all funds received. The Board is advised on investments by its financial advisor, Bernard Horn, a senior investment industry executive and by Nelson Burbank, a respected community leader and highly regarded, registered financial expert. Both men generously volunteer their time and services. The Board reviews its investment portfolio each month and meets quarterly with its financial advisors to discuss the financial outlook and ensure the investment mix is appropriate given the market risks and conditions.
Annually the Board transfers a donation from earned income to the Library for additional programming and services. Since 2000 the Foundation has given the Library well over $60,000 to enhance the Town’s budget. Foundation gifts are restricted to specific purposes and may not be used for salaries or to offset Town funding. Foundation funds have been used to upgrade personal computers, expand the large print collection, purchase books for all age groups, enhance the media collection, establish a DVD collection, refurbish and update the Computer Lab, and, most recently, to provide a new sound and projection system for the large meeting room.
ABOUT THE READING PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Reading Public Library was established in 1868 through the generosity of a $500 donation from then School Committee member Horace Wakefield and a $500 allocation from Town Meeting. It was located in a single room within the high school. In 1915 philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated $15,000 and the Town funded $5,000 to relocate the Library to the corner of Woburn and Lowell streets where it remained for nearly seventy years. It was relocated in 1984 to its present location, the former Highland School, on Middlesex Avenue. These larger quarters afforded Library staff the ability to better service the increasing needs of the community.
INVESTMENTS
The Board is responsible for overseeing the preservation and allocation of all funds received. The Board is advised on investments by its financial advisor, Bernard Horn, a senior investment industry executive and by Nelson Burbank, a respected community leader and highly regarded, registered financial expert. Both men generously volunteer their time and services. The Board reviews its investment portfolio each month and meets quarterly with its financial advisors to discuss the financial outlook and ensure the investment mix is appropriate given the market risks and conditions.
Annually the Board transfers a donation from earned income to the Library for additional programming and services. Since 2000 the Foundation has given the Library well over $60,000 to enhance the Town’s budget. Foundation gifts are restricted to specific purposes and may not be used for salaries or to offset Town funding. Foundation funds have been used to upgrade personal computers, expand the large print collection, purchase books for all age groups, enhance the media collection, establish a DVD collection, refurbish and update the Computer Lab, and, most recently, to provide a new sound and projection system for the large meeting room.
ABOUT THE READING PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Reading Public Library was established in 1868 through the generosity of a $500 donation from then School Committee member Horace Wakefield and a $500 allocation from Town Meeting. It was located in a single room within the high school. In 1915 philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated $15,000 and the Town funded $5,000 to relocate the Library to the corner of Woburn and Lowell streets where it remained for nearly seventy years. It was relocated in 1984 to its present location, the former Highland School, on Middlesex Avenue. These larger quarters afforded Library staff the ability to better service the increasing needs of the community.
