Free to All - BPLF's Spring 2024 Newsletter

Branching Out

New grant initiative brings additional program support to the neighborhood branches.

Designed to provide program support for the branch libraries, the Boston Public Library Fund delivered more than $63,000 to 21 branches as part of the Branching Out — Creative Catalyst Mini-Grant Program. Programs are taking place throughout 2024 and vary from a Comics Camp at the Faneuil Branch to Fiber Arts Classes in Uphams Corner.

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UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITY

Branching Out

Children’s Librarian Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri used the additional funding to bring a Haitian dance company to the Roslindale Branch. In December, the Jean Appolon Expressions, a contemporary dance company with roots in Haitian Folkloric Dance, performed and there was a workshop for participants to join in.

“This program was important to our branch because Roslindale has a growing Haitian community. We help new arrivals from Haiti find English classes, help them get library cards so they can use library resources, and

host immigration sessions for new arrivals from Haiti and elsewhere,” says Celeste. “The additional funding allowed us to make sure that our Haitian patrons understand that the library is not simply about assimilating into broader American society. We also want to celebrate, honor, and nurture Haitian contributions to American culture.”

Roslindale patrons celebrated Hatian heritage with a dance workshop.

A Note from the Executive Director

DEAR FRIEND,

Your generosity plays a pivotal role in advancing our mission to enrich the literary and educational landscape of our community. Thank you!

This past year has been marked by inspiring stories, and we are thrilled to share some highlights with you. Our commitment to early literacy has seen great strides, with countless young minds discovering the joy of reading through innovative programs and initiatives made possible by your generosity.

I am excited to update you on the success of the Branching Out, the Boston Public Library Fund’s Catalyst Mini-Grant program. Thanks to your support, we have been able to provide vital resources to our 25 branches, empowering them to create engaging and educational programming that resonates with neighborhoods across the City of Boston.

In addition, I am delighted to inform you about our ongoing efforts to support the Library's participation in the national Books Unbanned initiative. By championing the freedom to read and promoting diverse voices, we are working together to ensure that the BPL remains a beacon of intellectual freedom for young people all across the country.

We are eager to build on these successes and continue making a positive impact in the lives of those we serve. Your commitment to the Boston Public Library Fund is instrumental in turning our vision into reality and we look forward to sharing more success stories with you in the future.

With gratitude,

Paula S. Sakey Executive Director

On April 3, National Library Giving Day, join your neighbors and help raise $75,000 for programming at the Boston Public Library!

The idea is a simple yet effective one — your gift to the Boston Public Library Fund is an investment in the city’s neighborhoods. By rallying together to raise $75,000 for programming initiatives at the Central Library and its 25 branches, we're ensuring the vitality of these essential community hubs.

Make your gift right now at bplfund.org/givingday2024 to be counted as part of this community effort!

Exploring New Talents

A generous donation makes it possible for teens to discover music technology.

Drop by Teen Central any day after school and it is filled with students studying and collaborating on school projects, but did you know they are also producing music?

Teen Central offers a digital makerspace with a music lab and audio booth where seasoned music producer and educator, Tony Hamoui, mentors students in everything from sound mixing and production to audio engineering and writing lyrics. Tony’s weekly classes typically have 12 participants joining in and they are generously funded through the Boston Public Library Fund.

For Zander, a teen who had never explored music production before, meeting Tony and using the music labs state-ofthe-art technology was a new experience. “Zander showed an incredible ability to learn quickly and began to make his own songs,” says Tony.

While in the music lab, Zander met Nathan who had written lyrics, but had never sang or performed before. They decided to work on a song together and the duo released their first song Beehive. They are now working on a full album together.

Teen Technology Coordinator Bri Skywall explains that this type of spontaneous interaction is a real benefit to providing teens a free space to explore new interests. “Giving teens a space where they can learn new skills, but learn them on

their own terms — outside of the classroom and work — is an important way to help them feel a sense of pride.”

Reign, another teen that attends Tony’s classes regularly, says the experience of using the music lab was life changing. “Free access to the music production technology and classes helped me grow in my proficiency. I see myself composing and arranging for choirs and orchestras now.”

Scan this QR Code to listen to Beehive, the justreleased single from BPL patrons Nathan and Zander.

Impressive Support for Books Unbanned

The Boston Public Library Fund is thrilled to report that $105,785 has been raised for the Books Unbanned initiative, which provides young people all across the country with access to challenged and banned e-books and e-audiobooks from the BPL’s collection.

1,991 # of patrons registered

2,293 # of checkouts

50 # of states (and Puerto Rico!)

Top 10 States

California

Florida

Georgia

Illinois New York North Carolina Pennsylvania Texas Virginia Washington

What our newest patrons are saying…

“My state is banning books and my school has canceled our book fair. I would like to access books that shouldn't be banned to begin with. Knowledge is power.” – Texas Patron

“My public library’s options are incredibly limited and there’s a rise in book bans in Arkansas. A county near me just recently fired their director for refusing to censor queer and BIPOC stories so I’m excited to have access to books that get unnecessarily questioned.” – Arkansas Patron

“I'm a disabled person in a state trying to limit resources and materials that don't fit into a particular worldview.” – Alabama Patron To learn more, go to bpl.org/books-unbanned.

The Boston Public Library Fund is grateful to the following donors who supported Books Unbanned. Anonymous (3)

Frances S. and Michael J. Goldberg

John and Maureen Hailer

The Joan Shafran and Robert Haimes Foundation

Barbara and Amos Hostetter

Library Initiative for Teens and Tweens

Karen M. and Domenic M. Mallozzi

Michelle and Henry J. Nasella

Philip W. Rosenkranz

Kristin J. and D. Morgan Wilson

Karen A. Vagts

Why did you support Books Unbanned?

“My wife, Michele, and I believe passionately in access to learning and the actions taken by some states to ban books went against everything we have benefitted from ourselves over the years. Learning, debate, reading about history — even when we don’t agree with the belief — is a right for every American. These are the reasons we supported the BPL’s efforts to allow free access to all publications across the USA.” – Henry Nasella

“Restrictions on reading are restrictions on freedom of thought.” – Philip Rosenkranz

ACTIVATING DEMOCRACY

Inspiring a New Generation of Readers

Drawing more than 400,000 annual visitors, the Children's Library at the Central Library in Copley Square is the hub of the Boston Public Library’s youth literacy effort. Leading the exceptional team of librarians there is Child Services Librarian Laura Koenig, who shares her insight on cultivating a new generation of readers, one patron at a time.

What advice do you have for parents who are having a tough time encouraging their child to read?

Come visit us! Our librarians are experts in helping children discover materials that will interest them. It’s important to give them lots of choices and I love seeing kids leave the Library with piles of books to try out. I also recommend bringing children to opportunities where they can meet an author. It’s a memorable moment that helps kids build a connection to what they are reading and allows them to see that anyone can write and share stories.

What trends in children’s literature are you seeing right now?

We’re seeing an increase in the diversity of children’s literature, led by authors of color who didn’t see themselves represented in stories as children. More and more books are being published that represent authentic lived-experiences and this huge step forward to ensure children see themselves or “step into” the lived experiences of others.

What is your favorite book right now?

That is a very tough question for a librarian! My favorite book right now was written by former BPL Librarian Lin Thompson! Their new novel, The Best Liars in the Riverview, was published in 2022.

Supporting Young Readers At-Risk

A recent study commissioned by the state this fall, revealed that more than half of young elementary students in Massachusetts showed early signs of reading difficulties.*

The Boston Public Library (BPL) is addressing these challenges head on, thanks to the support of individual and corporate donors to the Boston Public Library Fund. With private funding, the BPL has developed hundreds of innovative programs, including:

• The Future Readers Club

• Storytimes and author visits

• Music and movement classes

• Playgroups and new parents meetings

Leonard and Barbara McCue are longtime supporters of children’s programs at the Central Library.

Says Leonard, “My wife, Barbara, and I, recognizing how critical reading was to our development, also realized how important it is to support the Children’s Library.”

Knowing the current reading challenges facing students, Leonard says he hopes more people will join him and Barbara in making a gift. “Supporting the BPL children’s programs is an important endeavor for everyone!”

* McLaren, Mandy. “A majority of the state’s youngest students struggle to read, new report finds.” The Boston Globe December 1, 2023.

Forward Thinking

A bequest gift will help preserve the BPL’s rich heritage.

“It’s not an overstatement to say that libraries are vital and essential to all civilizations,” says Central Library patron Adam Lutynski.

With this sentiment in mind, Adam and his late wife, Joyce Bowden, included the Boston Public Library Fund in their estate plans. Adam recently informed the Fund of their decision and became a member of the 1848 Society. Their future gift will help ensure that the Library shapes the city’s cultural landscape for generations to come.

This progressive mindset characterized the couple’s life together. Adam and Joyce met in the mid-1960s as Peace Corps Volunteers in Bolivia. They later lived in Boston, where Joyce enjoyed work as a fundraiser in higher education and Adam was a lawyer at The Massachusetts Defenders Committee. Work opportunities took them to the Midwest, but they returned to Boston in 2000 and lived in the South End.

Adam and Joyce recognized the collective impact of their gift, noting that alongside countless others, they could have a meaningful impact. Says Adam, “We viewed our

You’re invited to join

gift as a single, tiny tile placed in the grout of a mosaic that, with millions of tiles already placed and yet to be placed, will help preserve the BPL’s rich heritage for future generations of patrons.”

1848 SOCIETY

The 1848 Society recognizes and honors individuals who have named the BPLF in their long-term financial and estate plans through a charitable bequest, beneficiary designation, gifts through retirement accounts, and other legacy gifts. For more information on gift strategies, please contact Carol Estes-Schwartz, at cestes@bplfund.org or 617-859-2032.

Named for the Boston Public Library’s most iconic space, Patrons of the Courtyard is a society that recognizes a distinguished group of donors who are committed to furthering the exceptional collections, programs, and services offered by the Library.

Members enjoy a range of distinctive experiences, events, and programs throughout the year. Among offerings have been private tours, author talks, and tours behind the scenes to view and interact with new collections and exhibits.

Join Patrons of the Courtyard today with your gift of $2,500 or more by visiting bplfund.org/patrons.

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