Friends News

The Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries thank the following businesses for their generous donations in 2009:

Gold

Stocker Oil Company

Silver

Minuteman Press
Gravoc Associates, Inc.
Paul Bonsaint d/b/a Bob Bonsaint & Sons
R.P. McLaughlin Co., Inc., Plumbing and Heating
Salem Five

Bronze

Phil Richard
Paul Wacks
Gauthier & Boardway, CPA's, Inc.
North Shore Bank
Arbella Insurance Group Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Shuman & Epstein LLC: Certified Public Accountants
Su Chang's

Please patronize our business partners!

 

Friends of the Peabody Institute Library Award Scholarships to Two Library Pages

The Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries established a scholarship program for high school seniors who have worked as Library Pages. The Friends created this scholarship program to recognize the contributions of Library Pages.

At the June 16, 2010 meeting, the Friends awarded $200 college scholarships to Peabody Institute Library Pages Diane DeAvila and Krystina Tourtillot. Diane will attend Merrimack College; and Krystina will attend University of Massachusetts Boston.

Pictured from left to right are Gerri Guyote, Assistant Director of the Peabody Institute Library, scholarship winners Diane DeAvila and Krystina Tourtillot, and Paula Kilcoyne, President of the Friends of the Peabody Institute Library.

 

Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries Grant Over $4,000 In "Wishes" To the Peabody Institute Library

The Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries is a nonprofit association of volunteers who work to raise money for the Peabody Institute Library. The Friends grant "Wishes" which fund programs for library patrons of all ages. In 2009, The Friends granted over $4,000 in wishes. The Children's and Young Adult programs included music programs with Peter Sheridan and Teresa Coelho, Painting with Jeanette Lerner, a Museum of Science sponsored Rocket demonstration, new readers' and summer reading supplies, an outdoor family concert, an art program and art supplies. Adult programs included an author visit with sports writer Bill Littlefield, Memoir Writing with Judith Colosi, Resume Writing with Sandra Network, Watercolor Painting with Paula Kulas, Pastel Painting with Greg Maichack, Handwriting Analysis with Barbara Harding, Joseph Carlin’s Thailand lecture, and a cooking demonstration. The Friends also funded the tuning of a piano for a library concert.

The Friends raise money through membership and fundraising events. Membership applications are available at any library in Peabody or online at www.peabodylibrary.org/friends.

 

"Thank You" Letter to the Editor, Written by Friends' President, Paula Kilcoyne

To the Editor,

I write on behalf of the Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries to thank the Peabody community for the success of our annual book sale, held the weekend of May 16-17, 2009, at the Main Branch Library.

The purpose of the Friends is to raise money to fund purchases and programs at all three library branches.   Every member of the Friends is an unpaid volunteer and thus we are able to give nearly all the money we raise every year to the library.   Since 2000, the Friends have donated over $60,000.  Our two largest sources of funds are from membership drives and our various book sales, including our weekend-long annual book sale. 

Our book sales are successful only because of the contributions of the larger Peabody community.  This year, we were assisted by numerous Peabody middle and high school students who, inspired by their teachers, helped us from set up, through the sale itself, to packing unsold books so that we can sell them at the book sales we hold the second Saturday of every month.  We are grateful not only to those who helped us with the annual sale, but also to all those who donate books for us to sell, and who patronize our sales.  

The Friends are proud of the community effort that helps to support the library.

Sincerely,

Paula Kilcoyne, President
Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries
c/o 82 Main Street
Peabody, MA 01960
978-531-0100

 

UMass Student Mike Mastone Wins Johnny Pesky Autographed Baseball Cap

The Friends of the Peabody Institute Library raffled a Boston Red Sox baseball cap autographed by “Mr. Red Sox” Johnny Pesky this fall as a part of their annual fundraising efforts.   The winning ticket belonged to Mike Mastone.  Mike is a sophomore at UMass Amherst, majoring in Journalism. Mike is also a collector of sports memorabilia.  Among his many other collectibles, Mike has a team autographed Boston Celtics basketball from one of their championship seasons.  Mike is the son of West Branch Library Aide, Sharon Mastone and is a 2007 graduate of Peabody Veterans Memorial High School.

In photo: Friends President Paula Kilcoyne presents the baseball cap to winner Mike Mastone at the Peabody Institute Library.

 

New Members Always Welcome!

If you're looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity, join the Friends today. We meet the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the South Branch Library.