The Friends of the M.N. Spear Memorial Library ~ Giving Tuesday

Update! 5:50 pm, Giving Tuesday

Just a little while ago, after having met two matching gifts, we announced a third matching gift of $5,000. If we receive another $5,000 in donations today, it will be matched, dollar-for-dollar.

If we meet this match, we will surpass $40,000 in donations today. Response to this latest announcement has already been brisk and generous!

We are optimistic! Our optimism is fueled by your generosity!

Thank you to everyone who has supported today's campaign. Your support has made a difference!

With heartfelt appreciation,

The Friends of the M.N. Spear Memorial Library

We have some incredibly exciting news to share! After more than a decade of dreaming, meticulous planning, and unwavering dedication to ambitious and creative fundraising, we find ourselves in the home stretch as we prepare for the realization of the new Shutesbury Library.

Our Library Building Committee has collaborated closely with Oudens Ello Architects to craft a design that is not only sustainable but also boasts fossil fuel-free energy systems.

Innovative design!

This innovative design encompasses expanded space for Library offerings, including books, DVDs, magazines, as well as room for a diverse collection of practical items like kayaks, telescopes, storytime backpacks, and chemistry kits.

Moreover, the new library design prioritizes space for people.

It promises a welcoming atmosphere with cozy seating and play areas in the children's room, a tranquil spot by a window in the adult area, a small quiet study/workroom, dedicated space for teenagers, a community meeting room, staff workspace, and storage.

We are thrilled to announce that we are tentatively planning a groundbreaking ceremony for May 2024 – only six months from now! With the grand opening set for the summer of 2025, we are on the brink of making this dream a reality.

As we reflect on the journey that has brought us to this juncture, we are deeply grateful for the support of the hundreds of donors who have believed in this vision for so many years. Together, we have orchestrated an extraordinary effort to garner community support and establish a substantial reserve for our library of the future. That future has arrived!

We have set an ambitious goal of raising $550,000 by the groundbreaking event. We are delighted to report that we have already raised $460,000!

But the good news doesn't end there.

Giving Tuesday, the annual global celebration of generosity, falls on November 28th, and we have a team of generous donors ready to help us move closer to our goal. They have promised a $10,000 matching gift if we raise $10,000 on or before Giving Tuesday.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to this campaign over the years. Thanks to your unwavering support, the library of our dreams will soon become a reality.

Now is the time to ensure that when the new Shutesbury Library opens, it will be everything we need it to be.