The Friends also provide the library with direct financial support.  The Friends of the Marlborough Public Library are the primary supporters of the library's Summer Reading Program and provide funding for the purchase of opera related materials.

Members of The Friends are people who value reading, understand the impact of literacy on the quality of society, and believe in the expansion of free public library services. We need you! Join our ranks - together we will continue to make a difference. Membership bring many rewards, including the knowledge that your gift makes a real difference to our public library.

Your contribution will provide funding needed for books and equipment, workshops and seminars, grants to libraries, special library programs (i.e., guest authors, musicians, musical groups).

The Friends support library programs, raise funds for special purposes, volunteer to do projects, promote community awareness of libraries, and advocate for robust city funding of The Library. We raise funds, with the help of our tireless volunteers, at our famous Book Sales of books and media donated by the community, and materials no longer needed by the Library. Some Friends are deeply involved, some lend their moral support.

our history

The Friends of the Marlborough Public Library was founded on a cold and blustery evening in February of 1970 at the old Marlborough Post Office. Trustee Margaret Hayes and Library Director Bertha Shapiro were instrumental in forming a Friends group as the newly renovated plus addition to the 1904 Carnegie Library was in the process of completion. The First Officers elected that February evening were: Dr. William Castelli, President; Raymond A. Johnson, Vice-Presi- dent; Theodore Williams, Treasurer and Shirley Richards, Secretary. By-Laws were adopted to run the organization. Over the years The Friends have strived to meet the goals adopted as part of the By-Laws.

The mission of the Friends of the Marlborough Public Library is to stimulate the interest of the community in the services and needs of the library, to enrich the cultural life of the community, and to promote a program of assistance through volunteer help and fundraising that will enable the library to keep pace with the growth of the City. To this end Martha Yacyshyn, First Music Chair, lead the charge to raise $5,000 to purchase a Steinway Grand Piano for concerts. From Feb. to Dec. of 1970, the funds were raised and a Dedication Concert was held in December with Martha performing. The Friends donated the piano to the Library for general use by groups, musicians and The Friends. Thus the first concert took place and there have been now thirty-nine years of concerts. Martha was Music Chair for twenty years and after her retirement and subsequent passing, the concert series was named in her memory and is now designated “The Yacyshyn Concert Series” usually consisting of three concerts per season.

As Bertha Shapiro insisted when The Friends started, the emphasis has been “to add to the cultural life of the community.” Therefore the programs have been geared to all of the performing arts as well as programs of general community interest. Presently The Friends Have “The Yacyshyn Concert Series;” The Metrowest Daily News/Marlborough Enterprise McConnell Author/Celebrity Series” named in memory of Leo McConnell who hosted this Series for many years and which usually consists of four programs featuring well-known authors and celebrities.

Also The Friends present “The Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibition” and “The Annual Friends Photography Show” Co-sponsored with the Assabet Valley Camera Club. In addition Special Programs are presented at various times such as “Antique Roadshow”, the history of “The John Brown Bell”, “Explosion in Halifax Harbor”, “Refinishing Furniture”--to name a few.

As concerns fund raising, Membership is a big part of that plus the Super Book and Bake Sales, grants and donations from businesses. There is also On-Going Book Sale Carts in both the Adult and Children’s Sections. The Friends have a Library Gift Account which the Library Director solicits funds from for library projects such as Museums Passes and special books. With over 300 Members, The Friends are able to support through fund raising a yearly budget now of over $22,000.

In the 2009-2010 Season The Friends celebrated their “40th Anniversary Celebration Year” with many programs over the entire season.

For Information about The Friends please call 413-648-9663
or email rajohnson736@gmail.com