New non-profit in town is 42 yrs old – The Friends of the Southborough Library

More than 40 years ago, members of the library community joined together. They formed The Friends of the Southborough Library. This year, it was officially recognized as a non-profit.

This means that donations to the group are now tax deductible.

The Library has relied on support from the Friends for four decades to provide “the icing on the cake”. Friends have paid for countless programs and services the Town’s budget couldn’t cover.

Funds raised have been used for:

• Approx $4,000 annually for the museum pass program
• Purchasing computers for patron use
• Assisting funding of children’s and young adults’ programs
• Enabling the library to host outside speakers and programs on a wide range of topics (business, politics, poetry, health, finance, etc.)
• Providing the library with its first dedicated website to share information about books, services, resources, events, etc.
• Acquiring the marquee sign at the corner of Rtes 30&85, allowing the library to publicize upcoming events
• Upgrading the phone system
• Purchasing items including display cases, bookcases, furniture and outside benches.
• Making countless other contributions to improve the library’s ability to serve the community

A few years ago, the Friends were in danger of folding as long-time members were retiring. A call to enlist new volunteers successfully reinvigorated the board.

But the new members were dismayed to learn that the organization’s standing with the government was murky. So we sought help from pro-bono attorneys.

Resident, Julie Connelly answered the call. She enlisted her then-employer Seyfarth Shaw LLP. Subsequently, Connelly moved to a new firm and Seyfarth Shaw’s Joseph Wang took over the case.

Their help was invaluable, resulting in the official 501(c)3 approval from the IRS this fall.

Tax deductible donations can be made out to The Friends of the Southborough Library c/o Southborough Public Library, 25 Main Street, Southborough, MA 01772.

For more information on the Friends, see our community organization profile page.