Community Relations & Outreach

DOCENTS AND VOLUNTEERS Pequot Library boasts a group of hard-working and dedicated volunteers. Our devoted Book Sale and online sales teams work in the Library every day and manage all of the methods of selling books, from executing the three book sales, listing and shipping books on Amazon, maintaining the Pequot Library digital storefront, and listing old and interesting books not suitable for our Special Collections on online sites. Over 200 volunteers converge during the Summer Book Sale to run this large fundraiser that attracts nearly 10,000 shoppers from across the region. In addition to book sale operations, volunteers assist with school tours. Docents lead tours of the Special Collections exhibitions year-round, and our volunteer-led Southport Walking tours sell out every month. High school students from Fairfield College Preparatory School and Laurelton Hall in Milford help in the office when they can, and our partnerships with mother-and-children teams from the National Charity League (NCL) and Scholars & Athletes Serving Others (SASO) provide invaluable support year-round for our community-wide events and library services. RENÉE B. FISHER FOUNDATION and BOOKS FOR TEACHERS Pequot Library is grateful to the Renee B. Fisher Foundation for its annual grant that provides funds for educators from Bridgeport, New Haven, and other underserved areas to shop the Summer Book Sale, stocking their classroom libraries. Teacher attendance at the 2021 Summer Book Sale was lighter than in previous years due to challenges associated with the ongoing global pandemic.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Pequot Library is proud to partner with peer community organizations to heighten awareness of pertinent issues, sparking important conversations. In 2021-2022, several organizations reached out to the Library to host timely programs. These groups include Aspetuck Land Trust, local garden clubs, Impact Fairfield County, Sasquanaug Association, Save the Children, and Southport Conservancy. Several local groups held concerts in the historic auditorium, including the Fairfield Ludlowe High School Chamber Orchestra, Joe Santaniello Vocal Studio, and Westport School of Music. Additionally, many local music teachers held recitals in the auditorium, including Music for Youth.