Westfield Memorial Library
550 E. Broad St
Westfield, NJ 07090
EIN: 92-1800001
December 5, 2023
Dear Westfield Memorial Library patrons and community members,
I hope this letter finds you well. As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful journey we’ve had at Westfield Memorial Library. The support of the Westfield community along with the Friends of the Library has been instrumental in making the library a vital and cherished resource in our town for over a hundred years.
Our journey began in 1907 with the visionary philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie, whose $10,000 donation laid the foundation for our beloved library. And so I thought it was only appropriate to start with a quote from one of Westfield’s most famous benefactors.
The Westfield Memorial Library has been a cornerstone of our town for over a century, providing a sanctuary for knowledge, information, and lifelong learning. We are proud to serve as a hub for education, culture, and creativity, offering a wide range of services and programs that enrich the lives of our patrons.
As we near the end of 2023, we are proud of our accomplishments:
While statistics may illustrate our achievements in numbers, they fail to capture the profound impact the library has on individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
From the development of critical verbal, cognitive, sensory, and social skills in our youngest patrons during story times to the collaborative study sessions of teenagers, from the empowerment of entrepreneurs and small business owners who use of the library’s technology resources and free, open space for building and connecting with neighbors and colleagues to the intergenerational camaraderie fostered through book discussions and delightful (and competitive) games of Mahjong – Westfield Memorial Library is more than a collection of books; it is a vibrant hub of shared experiences and lifelong learning.
Today, we aspire to take a bold step forward. We want to transform Westfield Memorial Library into a 21st-century space that meets the evolving needs of our community. Our vision includes:
Collaborative Learning Zones: Creating flexible spaces for group study, workshops, and collaborative projects that foster creativity and lifelong learning.
Digital Innovation Center: Establishing a hub for digital creativity, including a media lab, 3D printing capabilities, and coding resources for all ages.
Expanded Collections: Growing our digital collection with e-resources, providing more e-books, e-magazines, and streaming media to meet the diverse reading and viewing preferences of our community.
Community Engagement: Enhancing our virtual and in-person programs to promote cultural enrichment, personal growth, and social connection.
Achieving this vision requires financial gifts from individuals like you who value the library’s pivotal role in our community. This is the library’s first Annual Appeal in quite some time. While our goal of $100,000 may seem ambitious, I am confident that you and others in the community will rise up to meet the challenge.
During this season of giving, I invite you to give a gift to the Westfield Memorial Library. Be a part of this transformative journey and support lifelong learning in Westfield.
Please make an online donation or send a check payable to Westfield Memorial Library. Checks can be mailed to Westfield Memorial Library, Attn: Annual Appeal, 550 E. Broad St., Westfield, NJ 07090. Your generous gift is tax-deductible, and we will provide a receipt for your records.
Thank you for your essential gift to help build a library that will meet the needs of the community for the next century. There is no limit to what we can achieve together.
Sincerely,
Allen McGinley, Director
2023 Annual Appeal Goal: $100,000
All municipal public libraries in New Jersey receive operating funding in the form of one-third mill minimum funding, which is the town’s prior year equalized valuation multiplied by .0003 (1/3 mill). But there is no dedicated support for capital improvements to New Jersey libraries, which is why your generous support is so important to maintaining and improving the Westfield Memorial Library.