Make a year-end donation - Blackstone Library

Give the gift of lifelong learning and connection with a donation to the Blackstone Library.

Unprecedented. Surreal. Crisis.

Through all of the challenges of 2020, the staff at the Blackstone Library has worked tirelessly to find ways to support the Branford community with the resources and connections you’ve needed, balancing safety with access. With our year-end drive, we are asking for your help to keep that support going strong.

Providing lifelong learning and human connection in the face of COVID-19

We increased our digital offerings with new online classes and events, more digital ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and online research resources. Storywalk on Main®, part of the Blackstone 2020 Summer Reading Challenge, got families out for a stroll along Main Street while reading a story and discussing it along the way. Branford children sang songs along with Miss Carly and Miss Mary during Zoom-based storytimes. Local authors connected virtually with readers, and book clubs continued to meet online.

Our WIFI signal has been expanded and we’re answering your tech questions through email and phone calls. Email communications were increased to get out important community messages and library information. Overdue fines were waived, library card expiration dates were extended, and new cards can be applied for online.

Keeping you safe while expanding the library’s re-opening accessibility

You have showed us how important these services are to Branford — with increased borrowing of digital items and with many emails, phone calls, and words in passing to say how much Blackstone is needed and deeply appreciated.

Today, you are welcomed back into the building for browsing, study, and computer use as health guidelines and best practices allow. As we continue to adapt to provide a robust level of services to support the Branford community (including going fine-free!) now is a critical time for you to help support those services.

Your year-end gift helps maintain crucial services and support for Branford

Consider joining the Leadership Circle with a gift of $125 or more to have an even greater impact on your community. You can make a gift through Donor Advised Funds or family foundations, and matching gifts from employers count, too. The CARES Act passed this year increases tax donation deductibility for individuals and businesses—be sure to talk with your tax advisor to ensure the highest impact with your gift.

Click ‘Donate’ below to make your gift today.

Thank you for making a difference in your community. Thank you for being there for the Blackstone Library.

Your gift will impact lives.

“[We] greatly appreciate all you do to assist the readers of Branford in these trying times. Your new check-out system is working great.“

“My daughter and I are regulars at the library and we have faithfully been attending the numerous virtual storytimes throughout the pandemic. These really help with working from home and providing an additional avenue for educational programming for my daughter. We appreciate all [you] are doing for children of Branford. Thank you!“

“[StoryWalk] was a wonderful experience! I took my baby for a stroll down Main Street for our Storywalk mission. It was like a quest that I used to play with my friends as a child. I had been living in Branford for nearly a decade and I didn’t know some of these stores exist! Thank you for having us explore our town and to help us educate our community!”

“StoryWalk actually helped me to be exposed to businesses that I didn’t know existed! On a separate note, redesigning the book cover actually helped me to resume my artwork (had stopped painting since I was pregnant with my son).

“[The summer reading challenge] really served its purpose, especially in this time of isolation.”

James Blackstone Memorial Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.

Board of Trustees
Beth Law (President), Maryann Amore (Vice President), Mary-Rita Killelea (Secretary), Adam Spilka (Treasurer), Janice Kochanowski (Assistant Treasurer), Michelle Blank, Norman Dahl, Elizabeth Ferguson, Don Gentile, Cheryl Kaiden, Ed Kirk, Heather Nolin, Matt Roth, Patricia Sanders, Jack Thompson, Frank Twohill (RTM ex officio), Jeffrey Vailette (Board of Finance ex officio)