Friends of the Tewksbury Library
I love libraries! There's something wonderful about walking into the space filled with books, being able to find resources on any topics, and being transported to worlds beyond the here and now. As a child who grew up in the 90s, I loved LeVar Burton's Reading Rainbow, Scholastic book fairs, and Pizza Hut's BOOK IT! program (just checked -- it still exists!). The entrance to my childhood library looked like a UFO -- a hallmark that the community has kept even through recent renovations. One of the first things I did after moving to Massachusetts was to get two library cards -- one for the Boston Public Library (the third largest in the U.S.) and one for the Minuteman Library Network (an expansive network of libraries across MA).
Today, the Corning Foundation nonprofit being spotlighted is the Tewksbury Public Library, located just a few miles from Corning Life Sciences' division headquarters. The Tewksbury Public Library's budget from the city does not include any programmatic funding, so it relies solely on the fundraising by the Friends of the Tewksbury Library and from corporate grants. The library hosts dozens of programs a month. A full list can be found on the library's events page.
Corning has provided grants to sponsor the Corning Authors Series through the Friends nonprofit arm for the last two years. In 2020, the Corning Foundation sponsored the Author Lecture Series for the first time, enabling the library to host: Fredrik Backman (to discuss his new book Anxious People), Gregory Maguire (to discuss Wicked), Daniel Handler (who writes under the name Lemony Snicket), Elin Hilderbrand in conversation with Jane Healey, Karen Kingsbury (America’s favorite inspirational storyteller), and Craig Johnson (whose books are the basis for the hit Netflix series Longmire).
In 2021, Corning sponsored the Author Series again and the library was able to host 20 virtual events featuring a wide range of authors and topics, reaching a live audience of 785 people. Some events were cohosted in partnership with other libraries, enabling broader audience access. Most events were recorded and can be watched through the library's Facebook or YouTube links. ?
The 2021 Corning Author Series:
On behalf of Corning, we're proud to be a partner supporting our neighborhood library! Thank you to my colleague Brent Lanterman (Corning) and Nancy Baumoel (Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library) for facilitating the grant. Thank you to Sue Pedersen (President of the Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library) and Robert Hayes (Community Outreach Librarian) for putting together such extensive programs!
Now, onward to tour the Tewksbury Public Library!
In addition to the physical spaces shared below, the library also holds space for topical discussions through its diverse offerings of programs. I've put together a sampling below:
The Friends of the Tewksbury Library have different membership options, and the funds go towards purchasing Museum Passes and books, as well as supporting cultural programs for adults, enrichment programs for kids and teens, and many more programs and services not supported through the town budget. Throughout the year, the Friends hold several fundraising events. I'm impressed by Sue's energy and ideations!
This month is the Countdown to Christmas mystery gift card raffle.
More highlights and features can be found on the Friends' bulletin board, next to the "buy a book" section near the entrance.
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Meeting Room (with brand new projector)
The Children's Room
Librarians decorate the bulletin boards with a monthly theme and pull out books related to that month's theme (so cute!)
We're told that the best part of the children's room is watching this their mascot turtle (follow on Twitter @HardcoverTurtle!).
There are also prepackaged "Kid Kits" -- featuring books on specific topics, and some have accompanying sensory toys or audio CDs.
The Teen Room
The highlight of the teen section is the Manga Wall
and the Board Games
General Stacks
DVD Binge Boxes grouped by themes and topics (clever!) -- there was one featuring movies filmed in MA.
There's also a section dedicated to showcasing local authors
Outdoor space
In the summer time, the library hosts farmer's market, outdoor movies, and community gardens.
On my way out, I was reminded that it takes a partnership between the public sector, the private sector, and the community to fund and operate libraries. Libraries are places where you check out books, but it's also where different community services are provided. It's one of the best forms of public spaces that remain, so let's cherish it! Hope this inspired you to support your local library: join your local Friends chapter or volunteer!
Follow Tewksbury Library
When's the last time you visited your local library, or better yet, libraries beyond your neighborhood or near your work? Drop a note below -- share what you're reading and what you love about libraries!
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One of the initiatives I lead at?Corning Life Sciences?is connecting local nonprofits in the Greater Boston/Lowell area with grants from the?Corning Foundation, and extending those partnerships to employee volunteer opportunities! I'll be sharing on LinkedIn, so follow along using the hashtags:?#CorningFoundation?and?#CorningVolunteers.