Pequot Library Annual Report 2023-2024

PEQUOT LIBRARY Annual Report 2023–2024

A Letter from the

Executive Director It is with much appreciation for your continued support that I present the 2023-2024 annual report highlighting Pequot Library’s accomplishments from this past fiscal year. As part of Pequot Library’s Strategic Plan adopted by the Board of Trustees in June 2023, we set out to implement a number of operational objectives involving expanding audiences and increasing much-needed income, and I’m pleased to report that we exceeded our plans considerably.

As you will note in the following pages, we have welcomed new supporters to the family, proudly hosted school groups for tours of Special Collections exhibitions, have seen an increase in social media followers, and have increased many of our giving areas, particularly in the realm of online book sales thanks to the devoted team of volunteers and staffers who work tirelessly each weekday morning shipping books all over the country. I’d like to extend my deep appreciation to Madge, Malcolm, Cathie, Susan C., Lynn, Sherri, Meg, Doug F., Doug P., Phil, Cindy, Dave, Jane, Laraine, Ruth, Sue W, and Owen L. Most of all I want to extend my gratitude to the Town of Fairfield and the countless individuals, grantors, and businesses who choose to support our annual operations and special projects; please know how much your contributions are greatly appreciated. This year we pay special tribute (see page 8) to those who have made gifts of support for over 20 years!

I hope you all are inspired by this year’s annual report detailing Pequot Library’s positive impact on the lives of readers and arts and culture patrons of all ages. Thanks to you, Pequot Library is a welcoming and popular destination. Whether you volunteer your time or make a donation, each of you helps to ensure that this iconic Connecticut organization thrives year after year.

With appreciation,

Stephanie J. Coakley Executive Director

As a public association library 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Pequot Library relies on the generosity of the Town of Fairfield, donors, corporate and community partners, and Friends of Pequot Library memberships.

2

Table of Contents Letter from the Executive Director 2 Board of Trustees and Staff 4 Financial Report 5 Year in Review Dashboard 6-7 Advancement/Development 8-10 Fundraisers & Special Events 11 Planned Giving + In Memoriam 12 Supporter Spotlight 12-13 Special Collections and Exhibitions 14-15 Circulating Collection + Books in Review

16

Adult Programs 17 Children’s Library 18 Teen Programs & K-12 School Programs 19 Friends and Contributors 20-24 Award Winners 25

3

Board of Trustees and Staff

as of October 1, 2024

OFFICERS Coke Anne Wilcox President Caroline Calder Executive Vice President Christopher Wright Vice President of Investments Ellen Levinson Treasurer Kelly D. Laferriere Assistant Treasurer Lynne Laukhuf Secretary

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Stephanie J. Coakley

TRUSTEES Ali Fellowes Caroline Gibson Rob Johnson Dan McHale Margaret Rieck Charlotte Rogan Belinda Shepard Blythe Bracey Smith Bob Svensk Libby McKinney-Tritschler John Turitzin Lynn Van Winkle Matt Wagner Richard “Deej” Webb

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS Cecily Dyer Special Collections Librarian Princess McCann* Special Collections Assistant*

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Victoria Konopka* Special Projects Graphic Designer Jessica McEntee* Marketing Associate

ADULT AND COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS Charlie McMahon Adult Programs Manager CHILDREN’S LIBRARY AND YOUTH PROGRAMS John Kofron Youth & Teen Library Services Manager Jane Manners* Children’s Librarian

EX-OFFICIO Nelson North

DOCENTS Anne Boberski Mike Esposito Deb Gallagher Lynne Laukhuf Peg North Alana Pellicano Lynn Van Winkle

DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Grace Calderon Director of Development Alexandra Heekin* Development and Administrative Assistant

INTERNS Adela Ardrey Jack Kofron

CIRCULATION DESK AND TECHNICAL SERVICES Christine Catallo Director of Library Services and Operations Vasilia Kaouris* Tierney Latham* Leslie Mahtani* Denise Martin* Natalie Martino* Meghan McKale* BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND BOOK SALES Owen Lockwood* Bob Repko* CONTRACTED TEAM John Gleckler Finance/H.R. Manager Shirley Ferguson Jenks Development/Fundraising Janet Zamparo Grant Writer *Part-time staff member 4

Financial Report OPERATING REVENUE

2023-2024* 2022-2023*

Town and State Grants

$350,000

$350,000

Annual Giving Contributions

$455,106

$377,014

Contributions – Nonrecurring

$21,987

$120,549

Grants for Operations

$52,557

$86,321

Contributions/Grants for Capital

$76,997

$16,200

Investment Draw

$150,000

$200,000

Fundraising/Special Events

$374,888

$335,091

Library Services and Programming

$174,826

$133,538

Other Income

$38,542

$46,148

TOTAL REVENUE

$1,694,903

$1,664,861

OPERATING EXPENSES

2023-2024* 2022-2023*

Salaries and Benefits

$876,444

$775,870

Special Events

$103,695

$71,269

Library Services and Programming

$280,488

$264,758

Physical Building and Property

$193,789

$171,591

Other Operating

$180,832

$191,512

Capital Expenditure and Reserves (1)

$93,467

$19,670

$1,728,715

$1,494,670

$(33,812)

$170,191

TOTAL REVENUE

NET OPERATING (LOSS) / INCOME (2)

*Amounts are based on the information from the audited financial statements.

(1) FY23-24 capital improvements of $23,170 and grants and contributions reserves for future capital expenditures.

(2) Net Operating Loss reflects decrease in operating cash to fund operating and capital costs.

ENDOWMENT FUNDS

$3,512,168

$3,323,258

5

OPERATING REVENUE

OPERATING EXPENSES

Year in Review Dashboard

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

219 84 113 82 27 6 4

PATRONS & ATTENDEES

23,769 16,500 4,768 4,897 1,892 877 4,555 1,046

Programs for Children and Young Adults

Self-directed Programs for Children and Young Adults

In-person Programs for Adults

Virtual Programs for Adults

School Programs

Fundraisers and Special Events

Exhibitions

535

Library Patrons Attendees at Fundraisers and Special Events Attendees at In-person Programs for Adults Attendees at Programs for Children and Young Adults Participants in Selfdirected Programs for Children and Young Adults Attendees at Virtual Programs for Adults View of Recorded Virtual Programs for Adults Attendees at School Programs

58,304

Total Programs & Events 10% INCREASE

Total Patrons & Attendees 27% INCREASE

(108,307 with 50,003 web users) 6

LIBRARY COLLECTIONS & USE

2,694

New Items Added 1,250 Adult

27,027 Items Circulated*

107,164 Total Items

13,657 Adult

79,039 Adult

668 Juvenile

11,243 Juvenile

24,621 Juvenile

417 Young Adult

1,160 Young Adult

2,788 Young Adult

73 Media

483 Media

712 Media

286 ebooks

456 Interlibrary Loans

4 Other Library Materials**

28 Seed Library Circulation 10% INCREASE *Pequot Library items checked out at all three Fairfield libraries

**Seed library; 1 chess set; 2 learn-to-juggle kits

ONLINE & SOCIAL MEDIA

143,931 Website Page Views

5,709

eNewsletter Subscribers

4,102

Facebook Followers 11% INCREASE

3,100

Instagram Followers 13% INCREASE

2,652 26,104 X Followers

YouTube Views

1% INCREASE

18% INCREASE

7

70

TikTok Followers

Advancement/Development

Annual Appeals T OTA L A M O U N T R A I S E D

$221,642 $261,759 2022-2023

2023-2024

GOVERNMENT GRANTS The Town of Fairfield continues to provide vital support to Pequot Library in the annual amount of $350,000. This funding is crucial to maintaining the operations of Pequot Library, and it amounts to around 20 percent of the annual operating budget. The Town of Fairfield appropriation has remained level since 2009.

SUSTAINING DONORS Thank you to the 5 sustaining donors who give monthly in support of Pequot Library.

Celie Campbell Jake and Eliza Chang Mary Lou McGuire Peg and Nelson North Thomas Taglieri

DONORS BY THE NUMBERS

1,141

INDIVIDUAL DONORS contributed to Pequot Library in 2023-2024. Here’s how they supported Pequot Library.

18% INCREASE

NUMBER OF GIFTS

497

546

2022-2023

2023-2024

10% INCREASE

AVERAGE GIFT AMOUNT

$446

$544

2022-2023

2023-2024

22% INCREASE

T OTA L T R I B U T E G I F T S

$6,575 T OTA L M E M O R I A L G I F T S

$6,235

408 DONORS 778 DONORS made gifts to the unrestricted Annual Fund

purchased tickets to a fundraiser or otherwise supported a special event

82 DONORS

made a restricted gift in support of the Special Collections, Circulation Materials, or Meet the Author programs, among other things.

69 INDIVIDUAL DONORS were new supporters in 2023-2024, a 44% increase over the previous fiscal year.

181 INDIVIDUAL DONORS have been giving for at least 5 years consecutively.

20 INDIVIDUAL DONORS have been giving for 20+ years consecutively: Alison and Michael Barry Pegi and Kent Bernard Lincoln W. Craighead Jane K. Dean Marc and Michele Flaster Elizabeth M. Gaynor N. W. Gibbons Bruce Glaser Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hagan Robbie Hodgson 8

Kelly and Richard Laferriere John and Ellen Levinson Pat and Walt Lohotsky Butzi Moffitt Peg and Nelson North Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Palmisano Patricia C. Spaght Mrs. John W. Stokes Mary H. von Conta (deceased) Laura and Packer Wilbur

LIBRARY GIVING DAY AND YOUNG PATRONS GROUP Pequot Library celebrated Library Giving Day on April 3, 2024. This is a day celebrated internationally by participating libraries during which book lovers and people who value all that libraries stand for can show their support for their local institutions. Pequot Library offered a Southport Walking Tour, an a capella performance by Mixed Company from Yale University, as well as a bourbon tasting with Litchfield Distillery to celebrate Library Giving Day. FAMILY FOUNDATIONS Pequot Library is extremely grateful to the 12 family foundations whose contributions last year totaled over $38,000. We are especially grateful to the Tremaine family and the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation (EHTF) for a $5,000 grant that allowed the library to purchase additional ebooks and audiobooks, as well as an additional $4,000 grant for unrestricted purposes. In addition to these important restricted gifts, the library is thankful to the family foundations that gave unrestricted annual gifts, especially the Vincent Von Zwehl Memorial Fund and the Shelter Hill Foundation.

The library would also like to thank the following Family Foundations for their support of the library for at least 5 consecutive years: the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation (EHTF), the Wilmot Wheeler Foundation, Inc., the Ruscito and Head Family Foundation, the Christian I. & Hilma A. Gravesen Memorial Fund, the James and Wendy Agah Family Foundation, the William and Diana Romney Gray Family Foundation, and the Horton Family Fund. Truly, your commitment and dedication is appreciated every day.

GIVING DAY T OTA L A M O U N T R A I S E D

$9,656

$13,796

2022-2023

2023-2024

43% INCREASE

NUMBER OF GIFTS

61

79

2022-2023

2023-2024

30% INCREASE

AVERAGE GIFT AMOUNT

$158

$175

2022-2023

2023-2024

11% INCREASE

BOOKS ADDED TO THE COLLECTION

483

690

2022-2023

2023-2024

43% INCREASE 9

GRANT SUPPORT During 2023-2024, Pequot Library was the proud recipient of grant awards for General Operations, Technology Enhancements, Passport to Pequot: K-12 School Programs, the long-standing Books for Teachers program, and Special Collections exhibitions and public programs.

Many thanks to these grant-making organizations for providing support to Pequot Library with a total sum of over $160,000, a 171% increase over 2022-2023: Anonymous $26,997 First County Bank $2,000 The Hearst Foundations $100,000 The M&T Charitable Foundation $2,500 Muriel F. Siebert Foundation $5,000 National Endowment for the Humanities $10,000 Pequot Runners $2,000 Renée B. Fisher Foundation, Inc. $25,207 CT Humanities Quick Grant $4,999

Refinishing Auditorium Floors Passport to Pequot Library: K-12 School Programs General Operations Passport to Pequot Library: K-12 School Programs Passport to Pequot Library: K-12 School Programs Special Collections/Preservation Assistance Passport to Pequot Library: K-12 School Programs Books for Teachers Exhibition Support

Pequot Library is incredibly indebted to these grantors, especially the Hearst Foundations for their incredible support of operations.

We also thank the Renee B. Fisher Foundation for their incredible 20 years of underwriting the Books for Teachers program at the Summer Book Sale. The support for Passport to Pequot Library: K-12 School Programs has enabled so many students from Bridgeport, Fairfield, Westport, and beyond to use Pequot Library as a resource. Please read much more about the wonderful school programs in that section of this report. Thank you to these 4 foundations for helping us make initiatives possible.

BUSINESS AND CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP Pequot Library continues to be grateful to the business/corporate community in Southport and beyond for underwriting Special Events. This year, 46 organizations (including vendors) sponsored Pequot Library’s events in the amount of over $54,000. Many thanks to new sponsors who joined us this year: Foxtrot Home, Kathryn Herman Design, Lendmarq, and Two Roads Brewing Company.

Art Show Derby Day Southport Garden Stroll Book Sales Holiday Caroling Party Easter Egg Roll Meet the Author ShakesBEER

Number of Total Underwritten Corporate Sponsors by Businesses 8 $7,350 9 $13,500 17 $21,500 6 $6,500 3 $2,000 1 $500 1 $500 1 $500

(Please note that many sponsors underwrite more than one event.)

We are especially appreciative of the four local businesses who support Pequot Library at the Caldecott Club Level ($5,000 per year): Kasson Jewelers, Oliver Nurseries and Design, On the Harbor, and The Russell Agency.

10

Fundraisers & Special Events

23rd PEQUOT LIBRARY JURIED ART SHOW

DERBY DAY

Submissions: 292 Participating artists and works on display: 150 Works sold: 28, $17,000 ($8,500 to Pequot Library) Preview Party attendees: 175 Sponsorships: 9 underwriters, $10,250

Attendees: 465 Sponsorships: 10 underwriters, $23,500 Derby Dollars sold: 931 Prize awarded in 50/50 raffle: $1,955 Bottles of bourbon donated and sold: 21

Special thanks to the Jennifer Crosby Cargill Lipstick and Pearls Fund, Sam Cargill and Southport Rum, Gruel Britannia, The Art Show Committee: Lucy Biggers Rahe, (Co-Chair), Madeline Rahe Peck (Co-Chair), Miggs Burroughs, Lisa Cooper, Meg Gruppo, Jennifer Bradford Kennedy, Margaret Rieck, Sarah Rinaldi, Kelley Schutte, and Jarvis Wilcox.

Many thanks to the Loya family for being the Main Tent sponsor of this event.

Special thanks to The Vintage Horse, Flutes & Foam, the Pequot Yacht Club and Celie Campbell, DryveBox, Melt Mobile, Taconic Distillery, Two Roads Brewery, Highland Imports, DJ Rob, Southern CT Ice & Oil, J. McLaughlin, local businesses who donated items to the Silent Auction, Venü Magazine, and Docs Road Sodas.

SOUTHPORT GARDEN STROLL Attendees (2-day event): 806 Number of Gardens: 9 Sponsorships: 17 underwriters, $21,500 Raffle items: 8 Vendors: 18 Special thanks to On the Harbor for being the lead sponsor of this event and to Sturges Ridge for sponsoring the Rosé All Day Tent. Thank you to Betsy and Paul Shiverick, Victoria Hagan, Robert Dean, and all of the Southport neighbors who opened their gardens for our guests to stroll through.

Thanks also to the vendors who donated goods for our raffle, Catering Staff by Mary Watters, Southern CT Ice & Oil, Proof Pizza and Best Food Fast, Bigelow Tea, the StringBusters, Homegrown String Band, and our wonderful docents from the Greens Farms Garden Club, Fairfield Garden Club, and Westport Garden Club.

TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED FOR PEQUOT LIBRARY FROM SPECIAL EVENTS AND BOOK SALES:

$374,888 VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTING PEQUOT LIBRARY:

385 (AT LEAST!)

*This number includes people who volunteer at our books sales, our fundraisers and special events, and our community events, along with docents and board and committee members.

This is a conservative estimate. It truly takes a village to run Pequot Library!

11

Planned Giving

In Memoriam Please join us in celebrating the lives and memories of these friends and supporters who passed away in fiscal year July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

Simin Allison Laszlo Birinyi William Duncan Mark Foster Joseph Gagne Erik Granneberg Colin Green Stewart Greenfield Lawrence Hughes Laura Payne Lowe Brian Palmer Pat Repko Margaret Simko Hobart Van Deusen

“

THE 1889 SOCIETY We thank our past and living members of this society of supporters who have provided for Pequot Library in their estate plans. Their forward thinking will allow Pequot Library to thrive for generations to come. To thank these donors, Pequot Library hosted two receptions for the 1889 Society and the library’s major donors: The first was an invitation to join author Paul Freedman, the Chester D. Tripp Professor of History at Yale University, for a private reception preceding a discussion of his book Ten Restaurants That Changed America in September. The second event was a VIP reception preceding a panel discussion moderated by author Eric Jay Dolan about the evolution of maritime navigation. The library also gives our 1889 Society members a gift of thanks around Thanksgiving each year.

If you have provided for Pequot Library in your estate plans, we would like to thank you!

Email director@pequotlibrary.org to be added to the 1889 Society.

LIVING MEMBERS OF THE 1889 SOCIETY Anonymous Celie Campbell Virginia K. Cargill Jane K. Dean Anne Estelle

Meg and Steve Francis Cathy Lee Gruhn John E. Herzog Schuyler Huntoon Lynne Laukhuf

Carol Reeves Parke Dr. Ann Reeves Belinda J. Shepard Melanie Smith

BEQUESTS Pequot Library was the grateful recipient of one bequest in 2023-2024 from Arline Gertzoff.

Supporter Spotlight ARLINE GERTZOFF JUNE 24, 1946 – SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 Arline is remembered as a true daughter of Westport, a dedicated, tireless volunteer for many organizations that contribute to the vibrancy of the town. Arline dedicated her life to volunteering and service, especially in Westport. But there were very few Pequot Library Book Sales or fundraisers where Arline was not also present. She gave her time generously, and she always had a friendly comment or conversation for our patrons and event-goers.

Pequot Library is such a special place!

—Anonymous 12

Supporter Spotlight MEG AND STEVE FRANCIS PLANNED GIVING: THE 1889 SOCIETY The Francis family has lived in Fairfield since 1970. Meg is a weekly volunteer in the Book Sale Operations. She and her husband Steve are members of Pequot Library’s 1889 Society, the group for donors who have provided for the library in their estate plans. Their daughter Becky has also been involved for several years and was the first member of the Young Patrons Group, the group of supporters under the age of 50 who become members of the library for networking and exclusive programming.

How has Pequot Library been important to you?

We have enjoyed Pequot as a hub of activity including cultural, artistic, social, and volunteerism.

While children, the three kids enjoyed the art classes, story times, and cotillion lessons; as adults, we’ve all enjoyed Derby Day, the Garden Strolls, and concerts on the lawn and in the hall. Pequot Library has been a special place for the Francis family. We love bringing our grandchildren, and hope to have our first great-grandchild visit in 2025!

What do you enjoy most about Pequot Library?

We find Pequot Library a welcoming and friendly place, which offers thoughtful and provocative programs that we thoroughly enjoy. We also have taken some educational trips with library staff.

Why did you choose to include Pequot Library in your will?

To have the pleasure of knowing that programs and events will be enjoyed in the future.

What do you hope the lasting impression of your gift will be?

That newcomers to Pequot will benefit from all that it offers, both the materials and the programs.

BECKY FRANCIS YOUNG PATRONS GROUP What do you love about Pequot Library?

After moving home to Fairfield after nearly 20 years in Chicago, I truly appreciated Pequot Library as a place that still existed and has kept its place as a gathering spot for the community at large. I enjoy the wide variety of programs offered, from learning how to marble paper to riding on a sleigh at Christmas time, peeking into neighbor’s gardens, and settling into a comfy chair to read.

Why did you become a Young Patron?

I joined the Young Patrons as a way to meet other people in town who appreciated all Pequot Library has to offer and give back to an organization that has been a part of my family.

What impact do you think a thriving Young Patrons Group could have on the future of Pequot Library?

I think a thriving group could help solidify the place Pequot Library holds, and ensure it remains for generations to come.

13

Special Collections and Exhibitions Four exhibitions were viewed by hundreds of visitors and local students, including Charting Your Course—supported in part by a grant from CT Humanities—which showcased rare works normally on long-term loan to Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. A Preservation Assistance Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Pequot Library’s first grant from NEH in 20 years, allowed significant upgrades to Pequot Library’s climate monitoring capabilities and supported professional development that the library was able to offer to other Connecticut museums and special collections libraries at no cost. Dozens of students and researchers from the Yale Center for British Art, Fairfield University, Greens Farms Academy, and beyond

visited the Dillon Reading Room to view the Shakespeare folios and Clare Leighton papers, learn the basics of primary source research, and more. Work also continued on the longterm project to fully catalog the Special Collections’ rare books and archives.

In addition, Pequot Library contributed to the exhibitions of community partners through loans to Fairfield Museum and History Center (for Dearly Departed: Mourning and Memory and Money Talks: The Gilded Age in Fairfield) and to the Westport Museum for History and Culture (for Bittersweet: Chocolate in the American Colonies).

GRANTS

$4,999 CT Humanities Quick Grant

SELECT NEW ACQUISITIONS William Blake, The Complaint and the Consolation; or, Night Thoughts (England: Edward Young, 1797)* *Image detail above

Charles Chauncy Green, The Nubian Slave (Boston: Bela Marsh, 1845)

Valenti Angelo (artist, frontispiece), The Book of Job (San Francisco: The Grabhorn Press, 1926)

Supported exhibition costs for Charting Your Course: CuttingEdge Navigation and Seafaring and program costs for a talk with Dava Sobel, the bestselling author of Longitude.

$10,000 National Endowment for the Humanities: Preservation Assistance Grant Supported the purchase of climate monitoring and archival supplies, and supported a fullday workshop at Pequot Library led by NEDCC conservators that was attended by rare book and museum professionals from cultural institutions throughout Connecticut.

14

ARCHIVES INSTRUCTION AND OUTREACH Two Fairfield University classes toured How William Became Shakespeare and visited the Dillon Reading Room to learn more about Special Collections research.

Greens Farms Academy “Research Inquiry: American History” students visited the Dillon Reading Room five times in fall 2023. One student returned in the spring to continue her research, which she presented at a school-wide symposium in April 2024.

Cecily Dyer and Princess McCann served as judges for National History Day, March 2, 2024, in Fairfield and New Haven, respectively.

The Book Beautiful: Selections from the Private Press Movement (Perkin Gallery, June 22– September 23, 2023) highlighted Pequot Library’s remarkable private press collection, from the Kelmscott Press to St. Dominic’s Press, and examined the political philosophies and faith that underpinned these organizations. Supported by the Constance C. Baker Rare Book Fund.

Artists Mobilize: Graphic Art During the World Wars (Rennell Room, September 27–December 2, 2023) delved into the poster art of emerging and established artists who found work in war propaganda. This exhibition was presented in community partnership with Fairfield University Art Museum and its exhibition, In Real Times: Arthur Szyk-Artist and Soldier for Human Rights.

How William Became Shakespeare: 400 Years of the First Folio (Perkin Gallery, October 5, 2023– February 10, 2024) highlighted Pequot Library’s notable collection of Shakespeare folios while examining how scholars and performers in the former British empire continue to study and interpret the Bard’s plays in novel ways. Co-curated by professor Shannon Kelley, Ph.D., Fairfield University.

Supported by the Constance C. Baker Rare Book Fund.

Charting Your Course: Cutting-Edge Navigation and Seafaring (Perkin Gallery, February 24–May 11, 2024) centered on Pequot Library’s rare example of Mr. Harrison’s Timekeeper as well as local 18th– and 19th–century navigation textbooks, this exhibition examined Great Britain’s race to find a method of measuring longitude at sea and why this technology mattered in Fairfield. Supported by the Constance C. Baker Rare Book Fund and Connecticut Humanities.

CATALOGING AND PROCESSING Work began on weeding circulating collections in the mezzanine, which will allow us to expand storage space in the Dillon Reading Room by moving the existing glass wall several rows down. The expanded storage space will accommodate books now stored at the William B. Meyer storage facility in Windsor, CT, which will be integrated into the existing collection.

The department processed and rehoused several archival collections, including the personal papers of Pequot Library’s first librarian, Helen M. Bradley.

Pequot Library joined Connecticut Digital Archives (CTDA), a digital repository program and community that provides long-term preservation services for nonprofit Connecticut-based institutions. Hosted by the University of Connecticut Libraries in collaboration with the Connecticut State Library, CTDA has no fee and will make our digitized collections more accessible and visible.

15

“

We are fortunate to have such treasures in our community.

—Exhibition attendee

”

Top

5

Most Popular

Books of 2023-2024

Circulating Collection We are proud to report a 10% increase in materials circulation, thanks in part to the culling of outdated titles and more eye-catching displays. Library staff have been working meticulously to make sure that collections are up to date and that materials are shelved in a more appealing, user-friendly manner. Changes were also made to the Reading Room, to make it a more inviting study space; lamps were added for additional lighting and ambiance, and tables were rearranged to create a better working environment.

Books in Review Enjoy a selection of adult titles from the 2023-2024 fiscal year chosen by Pequot Library’s Director of Library Services and Operations Christine Catallo, including some books featured in library programming.

Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon Following an 18th-century midwife as she solves a murder, this book was a favorite among staff and patrons this year.

Hell of a Book by Jason Mott Jason Mott addressed readers virtually to speak of his gripping book, which follows an African-American author as he travels across the country on his book tour, a story woven through with others in unexpected ways.

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez Xochitl Gonzalez starred in a virtual program where she discussed her novel about artists of color struggling to survive and thrive among the elite art world.

Longitude by Dava Sobel We were honored to host Dava Sobel in partnership with the Special Collections exhibition Charting Your Course. Sobel’s small but mighty work explores the discovery of longitude and how it revolutionized seafaring navigation—and how we take it for granted today.

The Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer Croft Irena Rey is an author of international renown whose translators follow her with a cultish devotion—until she disappears and the fabric of her reputation and facade come undone.

16

Adult Programs Adult programming at Pequot Library included hosting renowned, high-caliber authors and scholars such as Stephen Greenblatt and Dava Sobel to Grammywinning musicians. Fans of chamber music flocked to outdoor concerts for our Under the Arches Chamber Music Series, enjoying musicians from Norwalk and Greenwich symphonies as they played their instruments. Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Greenblatt, as well as Fairfield University’s Shakespeare Futures Panel, enlightened Pequot Library attendees with highly nuanced and applicable insights into the world of William Shakespeare. We also hosted our successful ShakesBEER Festival, co-sponsored by Two Roads Brewing and Athletic Brewing Company, complete with a rare harpsichord concert.

H I G H E S T AT T E N D E D P RO G R A M S

Stephen Greenblatt and Fairfield University

In the fall we enjoyed welcoming Jenny Parsons, associate curator of the Florence Griswold Museum, to contextualize our beloved annual Community Art Show. We have continued to offer rare, arthouse films for the greater Fairfield community with our Pequot Presents film series. In the spring we hosted the well-received Living Bird Friendly Symposium, an event that took place across two days, attracting community partners and attendees from across New England. We were also thrilled to partner with Mystic Seaport Museum for an incredibly engaging demonstration of antique navigational equipment. In the spring the library welcomed acclaimed author and historian Dava Sobel, an academic responsible for shaping much of our understanding on historic navigational trends. We also organized the Sea Shanty Festival, attracting hundreds of spectators, all of whom gathered in our auditorium to enjoy music and stories from some of the top performers in the country. Come summer, the community rejoiced at the return of the Under the Arches Chamber Music Series, featuring the Elm City Consort, the New York Waytes, and Piffaro.

Pequot Library has continued in its role as interpreters of the history of Southport.

This year we revised and updated our historic walking tour of Southport, leading to sold-out tours throughout the summer and fall. Our staff members also offered historic house research workshops, teaching homeowners how to assess their building’s history by accessing relevant material from the Special Collections.

Sea Shanty Night

Dava Sobel

7

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHORS at in person events

Fiona Davis Eric Jay Dolin Jeff Benedict Stephen Greenblatt Dava Sobel Adam Hochschild Alex Kershaw 17

Children’s Library MEET THE AUTHOR JR. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WERE DELIGHTED TO MEET THEIR FAVORITE AUTHORS AND GET THEIR BOOKS SIGNED.

Victoria Kann

Pinkalicious Lauren Tarshis

I Survived Susan Hood

Ada’s Violin Harboring Hope Lifeboat 12

CHILDRENS PROGRAMS It didn’t rain on our annual 4th of July Bike Parade, but the clouds did let loose as we played on the Great Lawn. It did not, however, dampen the spirit of the event; the majority of people remained stalwart as they stayed in line for hot dogs and face painting.

Pequot Library’s Great Lawn turned into a spooky pumpkin patch in our first ever Jacko’-Lantern Contest. Participants brought their already carved pumpkins to the library and entered them into the contest, and then came inside and enjoyed the hilarious antics of Ed Popielarczyk and his Halloween Magic Show. Guests were invited to wear Halloween costumes and upon leaving the magic show had the chance to revisit the Great Lawn to see their jack-o’-lanterns all aglow in the moonlight.

Pequot Library’s signature winter event—the Holiday Caroling Party—was full of festive holiday cheer. Patrons enjoyed crafts, choirs, treats, horse-drawn carriage rides, surprise visitors from the North Pole, and our holiday market featuring local vendors.

Sponsors included Morgan Stanley, Nicols MD of Fairfield, Candlewood Market, and Fairfield Country Day School.

A Pequot Library tradition celebrated another year with the Easter Egg Roll! Families brought their own hard-boiled eggs for decorating/dyeing, and then chose their favorite egg for an age-category race on the Great Lawn. Children enjoyed making crafts and meeting the Easter Bunny. Our sponsor was St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School.

Astronomy was also a big draw this year. Mike Francis brought his inflatable planetarium to our auditorium for three filled-to-capacity sessions of his Night Sky Planetarium show in April, and our Great Lawn Astronomy program had stargazers looking through the library’s telescope every clear Thursday night, with over 40 people turning out for the winter solstice edition.

Exhibition-related programming brought in unique children’s events like Learn to Write with a Quill and the ShakesBears puppet show, and our weekly children’s Chess Club consistently filled our classroom to capacity.

Other amazing programs for children and familes: Valentine Candy-Making Workshop; Lenihan School of Irish Dance; Shakespeare on the Sound; on-going programs including Crafty Kids, Babes on a Blanket, Music and Movement for Wigglers, and Drop-in Storytime; DIY Bead Sculptures; Truth or Lie Book Club; Juggling with Matica Circus; Flashlight Constellations; Reading and Rhythm with Orchestra Lumos; Sensory Storytimes; and Miss Susan’s Summer Supper and Campout.

John Patrick Green

InvestiGators

18

Teen Programs & K-12 School Programs TEEN PROGRAMS Pequot Library’s Teen Advisory Board met monthly to discuss and plan ways for the library to better serve young adults, and made great progress in its project to shift the Young Adult collection to the front of the stacks wing while making space for a new teen nook under the mezzanine stairs. Look for the unveiling of this reimagined space in early 2025!

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Dungeons & Dragons continued to be our most popular teen program, with each session filling within minutes of being announced. Cooperative Games Club supplemented D&D in the winter, with teens meeting on Monday afternoons to play board games and card games where the players win as a group or not at all.

Our monthly Friday Night Young Artists Cafe (in partnership with Music for Youth) brought in talented performers to share their music in our auditorium.

20

SCHOOL PROGRAMS In the fall we partnered with Shakespeare on the Sound on a school program for our How William Became Shakespeare exhibition. High school and middle school students (and two groups of homeschoolers) viewed our collection of Shakepeare’s folios, explored the Shakespeare authorship question, and participated in an interactive performance of scenes from the Bard’s most famous plays.

7

Third- and fourth-grade students from four Bridgeport schools participated in this year’s Meet the Orchestra program, designed in conjunction with the spring’s Charting Your Course exhibition. They began by exploring the Kpanlogo, a music and dance style of the Ga people of Ghana, with percussionist Anthony DeQuattro in Pequot Library’s auditorium in November. They returned in the spring to hear musical selections from around the world performed by a string quartet, and then we visited them in their classrooms to show them some of our historic maps and lead them on an exercise in mapping the musical journey that they took with us this year.

In our exhibition tours for Charting Your Course, students learned about “the longitude problem” and analyzed historical maps. Our semi-permanent Early American Children’s Books and the Formation of National Identity exhibition brought fifth-graders to Pequot Library’s “time machine” in what is becoming a highly anticipated fifth-grade experience.

Finally, we are very excited about the archival research program that we piloted with an American History high school class from Greens Farms Academy and hope to be able to offer it to more high schools soon!

SCHOOL PROGRAMS for ages 6-11

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

for ages 12-18

943

STUDENTS

plus 103 chaperones

SCHOOL GROUPS VISITED PEQUOT LIBRARY THIS YEAR FOR:

Special Collections Exhibition tours Meet the Orchestra programs Archival research workshops in our Special Collections

19

Friends and Contributors The following list of friends and contributors includes donations over $50.

FOUNDERS CIRCLE ($10,000 & above)

Anonymous† Jennifer and Mario Loya† Bettina McKee† Hebe Dowling Murphy† Elliott and Gail Rogers† Sandra and Christopher Wright† VIRGINIA MARQUAND MONROE GUILD ($5,000 - $9,999)

Mrs. Jill Birinyi Susan Cugliari Marc and Michele Flaster†† John and Ellen Levinson†† Kirstin and James Powers Bill and Erin Russell† Belinda J. Shepard† Barbara and John Turitzin Sara and John Walsh MARY CATHERINE HULL WAKEMAN SOCIETY ($2,500 - $4,999)

“

Anonymous† Ann Dallas Jane K. Dean†† Barbara and William Epifanio Deborah and Michael Held Mia and Rob Johnson Kelly and Richard Laferriere†† Lynne Laukhuf† David S. MacAllaster† Nancy Maulsby Douglas Prescott Chris and Margaret Rieck† Bob and Anne Svensk† Stephanie R. Weaver† Coke Anne and Jarvis Wilcox†

Blythe and Zandy Smith Mr. and Mrs. Hugh R. Smith Carl and Dawn von Bernuth† Ellis and Michael Weatherly Deb and Richard Deej Webb† Courteney and William Weeks Landon Brett Westerlund†

Pequot Library’s programming is in-depth, quirky, fun, illuminating, and engaging.

—Anonymous

PATRON ($1,000 - $2,499)

Anonymous Stephanie and Frederic Barbatelli Elinor and James Biggs Doc and Sandra W. Bisset, Esq.† Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Blair Ms. Virginia Cargill† Mr. and Mrs. George E. Clark Jr.† Stephanie J. Coakley and Peter Russell† James and Christine Cook† Sean Cowan Cynthia and Michael Crawford† Francis Cunningham Mrs. Luella Davis Virginia Lynch Dean and James Dean Charlotte K. Dyslin Robert and Carol Eck† Chris and Tina Frantz† Mr. and Mrs. Stephen K. Galpin Jr. N. W. Gibbons†† Caroline and Paul Gibson Nancy and Jeffrey Goldstein Victoria M. Hagan and Michael J. Berman Pat and Bob Hastings Al and Celia Hegyi Joyce Hergenhan† Louisa and Nelson Heumann† Robbie Hodgson†† Schuyler Huntoon† Megan and Sean Kelly† Steven and Jennifer Kennedy Robert Magrish Kelly and Daniel McHale The McKinnis Family Peg and Nelson North†† Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Palmisano †† Roger N. Pocock† Ellen and Tom Reilly James and Katy Rogers Elisabeth Scharlatt† Susan Schroeder

*Deceased

†Donor for 5+ consecutive years

CONTRIBUTOR ($500 - $999)

”

Anonymous† Anonymous The Ackerman Family Jeff and Sarah Alper Milton Armm David and Beth Barrett† Elizabeth and Justin Bechtold Roisin Black Patricia Borghesan Jill and Brian Bragg Derek and Christine Browe Caroline M. Calder† Celie Campbell† Joanie and Rocky Champagne Amy Cina Martha Constable Kim Craig James Cuddy and Kimberly Walter-Cuddy Ms. Andrea Dean George and Louise Demakis† Sherrie and Jim Douglas Richard Ellis and Brandon Wagner David and Edie Faile Ali Fellowes Frank Festini Mr. James A. Fisher and Ms. Pamela S. Viglielmo Cynthia and John Fitzgerald† Christine and Jarat Ford Jack and Ann Franzen† Doug Fried and Lori Hashizume† Joan M. and Jeremy Frost† Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Gallinelli†

††Donor for 20+ consecutive years

John and Maura Gleckler† Catherine and Philip Glennon† Ellen Gould† Tom Graham and Dru Graham Andrea and Theron Hoffman Harper and Katharine Homes Jessica and John Illuzzi Adele Keating Sharon and Ron Klammer Deborah and Zohrab Kouzoukian† Dana and Brian Lawlor Marta Jo Lawrence† Louise Levin Pat and Walt Lohotsky†† Martha and Don Lord† Parisa Lotfi and Mehra Golshan Alessandra and Mark Lovett Erica and Aidan Mara Janice and Bob Martinez† Meghan McCloat Haylee and Christopher Milligan† Katie Montgomery† The Moore Family† Kathryn and Ryan Morrell Jennifer Mulligan and Eric Sundman† Kathryn and Ian Mullin Jennie and Devin Murphy Phillip and Elizabeth Neugebauer† Aimee and Christopher North Jack Nyquist Ms. Kathleen S. O’Grady and Mr. Adam Allam Bonnie Paige Andreas Papadatos and Brenda Thickett† Amy and Matt Pardee Alfred Pavlis and Deirdre Daly Madeline and Douglas Peck Stephanie Purzycki Jonathan and Daina Reeve Wren and Nathaniel Rex Candy and Jim Rice Charlotte Rogan Christal Rodenhiser and Yogesh Sadarangani† Robert and Barbara Sallick Stephanie and David Salomon Mary Catherine and Edward Santa Ross Sealfon Juliana Smith† Ms. Tami Smith and Mr. Ted Sonnenschein Tracy and Timothy Stuart Richard and Alma Tomasovic David and Anny Ward Sofia and DeVer Warner Melody Waterhouse and Philipp Kusche† Georgiana and Robert Whitehurst Emily and Grant Wood Jan Carpenter and John Wynne† Margaret Zellers† DUAL/FAMILY ($250 - $499)

Anonymous† Komal Aggarwal Ryan and Kelly Ahmed Laura and Joseph Amicucci† Elizabeth and Steve Bae Benjamin Baker† Sashani Baldeo and John James Erica and Joe Baldoni Ellen and Tyler Baldwin Alison and Michael Barry†† Rosemary Barry and Rolando Pantoja† Mona Zacharia Beerman Shelly and Drummond Bell Pegi and Kent Bernard†† Ms. Lucy Biggers Sissy and Kelsey Biggers Barbara Bishop

20

Maxine Bleiweis Anne and David Boberski† Michael and Cara Brennan John Bricker and Suzanne Carbery† Kristin Bruno and Josh Heinz Tara and Timothy Burke Marco and Elena Caggiano Courtney and Steven Canter Jennifer Capalbo Samuel W. Cargill Douglas Carle Cheryl Carlesimo and John McCally Nyla Carleton Eric and Lauren Carter Ann R. Cathcart† Marilyn Caufield Eliza and Jake Chang Brittany Christophersen Mitchell Clark and Craig Sauer Heather and Jonathan Cody Jennifer and Jed Coiteux Samantha and Philip Collin Bryan and Stefanie Collins Lisa Cooper Mr. and Mrs. Brian Coppola Augustus Costaldo Karen and Sandy Crape Ryan and Lexi Cummings M. Lynn Dacey Mary Lou Dan† AnneMarie D’Attelo† Mr. Briggs Davidson and Mrs. Moira Davidson Denise and James DeStaso Kaitlin and Marcus Dierna Stephanie DiMeglio Alexandra and James Dodwell Victoria and Scott Donohue Jacqueline Duvoisin Dr. Philip and Yael Eliasoph Katheryn Erickson and Christopher Wenzel Claire and Craig Ervin† Kimberly and Brian Farnen Aude and Pierre Ferragu Christina Ferrara William and Diane Fields Keith Figa Lia and Chris Filiberto Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Jaimie Fisco Aaron and Samantha Fox Mez and Ned Francia Becky Francis Erin French Kathleen Friedler Lina Galvao and Adam Robinson Emilio Gavrielidis Blair Gianoulis Nancy S. Gilliland† Eileen and Richard Giorgi Eric and Meghann Glick Daniel and Danielle Gombos Michelle and Lawrence Gore James and Kitty Graves Laura Grayson Durelle and Scott Green Seth and Erin Greenwald Ilka Gregory Jonathan and Navida Greifenberger Emma and Scott Griffin Cathy Lee Gruhn† Margaret and James Gruppo Sandra Guibord Scott and Melissa Halpern Donna Hannay Jennifer and Joel Harss Jeff and Joy Hendrickson† James Higgins Fiona Hodgson William and Sarah Hollingsworth

Mrs. Harvey Hudes Jennifer and Matthew Huisking Olivia and Brian Hunt Anda and John Hutchins Paul and Kelly Jacobson† Paddy and Rebecca Jarit Shirley Ferguson Jenks† Suzanne and James Jesse Arlene F. Johnson† Mark and Amy Johnson Shannon and Gerard Kavanaugh Elizabeth Kaye Tracy and Paul Keblish James Kelly and Paula Terry Maureen E. Keough and Philip R. Epifano Richard and Katharine Kirk Robin Kramer Suzanne Laginestra Claire Langdon Loree Lash-Valencia and Gabriel Valencia Laura Lavelle and Frank Illuzzi† The Lawlor Family† Erica Lear Jung Lee and Jereme Corrado Mr. William Lerchen Karen Dill Linder Dorothy Lindsey John Lobrano Debbie Lubinsky and Jeffrey Roberts Ali and Chris Macadam Cailin and JT MacMannis Nick and Jessica Mainiero Chris and Rachel Mandeville Giselle Mazier Mary and Brendan McCracken John and Jacqueline McFadyen Charles McMahon and Katherine Epifanio Ian and Eryn Meiers Karl and Stephanie Mergenthaler Harry and Barbara Merker Larry and Sheila Merriam Hilary Merrill Christine and John Mihalec Betsy and Dick Miller† Heather Crosby Mnuchin Diane Mongiardo Bill and Madeline Montague Carolyn Montrose Doug and Peggy Moore† Alyssa and Michael Moriarty Lindsay and Brian Muldoon Catherine Mullen Tanya Lapinski Murphy† Terry and Phil Murphy† Deborah Murtaugh Christina Musso and Richard Chambers Joseph Nathan Hilarie Nenner Benjamin and Courtney Nields Kelly O’Donnell Rosie and Sean O’Meara Maria-Teresa Orlowski Amy O’Shea John and Joelle Palmieri Katya Papatla Diane Parrish† Gerry and Genny Pearce Lyn Peck Ashley and Richard Perkin Danya Pincavage Kara and Rudy Pino Danielle and David Pitts Kristen and Justin Plock Jordan and Emily Pollack Vincent and Diane Porpora Meredith Poster Jennifer and Bernard Prat Alexa and Vincent Prunotto Bradley and Jane Purcell† Katy and Rod Rahe Deborah Reynolds Eugene and Leslie Riccio† Allison Rice and Carlos Beracasa Marilyn Rice Barrett and Lauren Risley Grace and Douglas Rosenstein Matthew and Penelope Rudy

*Deceased

†Donor for 5+ consecutive years

JJ and Krista Sabin Matt and Kim Salmon John and Irene Santa Michael and Kassandra Savicki Lucas and Ashley Scholhamer Paul Schreiner and Ariane Mermod Kelley and Drew Schutte Michele Seibold Juliette Seung-Lee and Stewart Lee Tiffaney and Kelly Sheppard Allison Sherman Jennifer and Andrew Sherriff† Gretchen Shugart and Jonathan Maurer Amy and Ric Silva† Jeremy and Kinsey Slevinsky Jennifer and Christopher Smith† John Smylie Patricia C. Spaght†† Michael and Morgan Spaight Elizabeth and Brian Spears† Rebecca and Garfield Spencer Stephen and Meg Staunton† Allison and Matt Stine Landon Storrs Danielle and Dan Stupak Jennifer and Raymond Sweetland Thomas Taglieri† Kathleen Patricia Thrane Barbara W. Thumm Dominick and Leah Tisi Murat Toprak Libby McKinney Tritschler Mr. and Mrs. John Tucker† Lynn and Peter Van Winkle Michele and Brian Vendig John Venezia† Kristopher and Caitlin Villarreal Matthew and Candace Wagner Sally Wallace Fred and Kelly Wang Mr. and Mrs. DeVer G. Warner Mr. and Mrs. John W. Watkins† Beth and John Welch† Christian Wentz David Wilson Zachary and Erica Wilson Karen Winget Mr. and Mrs. David S. Wiswell Abbi and Stephen Yap

Judith and Robert Chessin Brittney and Scott Cianciulli Kristin and Brian Clark Yvonne Claveloux Lindsay Clayton Gabi Coatsworth† Heathet Collette Roberta and James Conroy Kelsey Cook James and Nicole Coppack Lincoln W. Craighead†† Heather Crum Hillary Cullen Moira Curran Amy Waugh Curry Kirstin and Paul Curtin Meri-Leigh and Francesco Daniele Minda Daniell David Davidson Cameron Davis Robert Dean Jess Defeo Joe DeFeo Susan and Doug DeStaebler Bridgett and Peter diBonaventura† Alex Dunne Laure Dunne Mrs. Henry B. duPont III Jane and Thomas Dyer Sandy Earley Deborah Eck Tierney and Alex Ehrhart Sabrina Eliasoph Dolores and Cliff Ennico George Estabrooke† Susannah Eykyn Roma F. Fanton† Paul A. Fattibene Dr. and Mrs. Jon M. Fessel Allison and Fred Fiedler Anita Field Mr. and Mrs. Leonard E. Fisher John Florio and Sharon Sweeney† Alice Flynn Jessica Fokides C. Stephen and Meg Francis William and Adeline Fusco Yasmin G Jennifer Gage Joe* and Roberta Gagne† Johanna Garvey Paige Getz Jill Gionfriddo Bruce Glaser†† Charlotte Glovin Peter A. Gold† Sarah Gomez Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Goodman William Gormley Sarah and Darrel Grigerick Marcia and Neil Groglio Orin Grossman and Jane Sutherland† Kevin and Marianne Gumpper Irmgard and Alfred Gwilliam Diane and Matt Hagerty Katherine Hainsey Mary E. Halloran and James Rulmyr Leslie Hammer Amy Harlacker James and Barbara Harman† Alexis Harrison Katherine Hayden Katelyn Hayes Beth Hebert Lucinda Heekin Adair and Arne Heitmann† Dr. and Mrs. J. Herbin Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Herman and Family Philip and Rochelle Herr† Cynthia Herrington Linda Hodges Mary Holtze Robin Hubbard Elizabeth R. Hulme Anne R. Jackson Michelle M. Jaffee Kathryn Jaffer†

INDIVIDUAL PLUS ($100 - $249)

Anonymous† Anonymous* Anonymous Maria Abbazia Katie Ahern Mary Ahlers Simin N. Allison*† P.J. Anthony† Tara Archer Lyndsey Arone Carolyn and Bruce Audino Dr. and Mrs. J. Warren Axline Kathryn and Tom Ayars Lisa Barrieau Allison Bartkus Elizabeth A. S. Beaudin Edward Beisner Jill and Robert Belinky Jennifer Benway Kristin Berry Kimberly and Robert Bielecki Ronald Blumenfeld and Selina Strong† Ms. Carrie Bocian Bill Bodine and Victoria Fingelly Lisa and Ted Borter† Marian A. Bradley Nancy Breakstone Christine Brennan Tracey L. Brittis Jeff Buckley Barbara Burian Daniel Camarro John and Sharyn Cannon Linn and Sebastian Cassetta Chloe Castro Christine Catallo† Jim and Marian Cherrone

††Donor for 20+ consecutive years

21

Pamela C. Jones Esq. Susy Jones Merritt Juliano Larken Kade and Andrew Svensk Viviane Kaneff Victoria Kann Diana Kardamis Constance and Traug Keller Ellen Kelly Jill Kelly† Charles and Elen Kentnor Bill Klein Mike and Jen Knapp Victoria Konopka† Mary Jean and Preston Koster† Robert and Bonnie Kreitler† Paul and Sue Kueffner† Ellen Kuroghlian Emily and Joseph LaFemina Joan and Edward Lahey Gerry Lang Taylor Larson Patricia Laskay Catherine Leary Urb and Pat Leimkuhler† Meghan Lenihan Casey Levene Nina Lewis Sharon Libman Jacqueline Lobdell Suzanne Loggie† Jonathan and Allison Love Linda and Michael Love Susan Lukralle Lauren Luskey Patrick Lynch Penny Lyons Christine Maffia Katharine Maguire Debra Mahony Leslie and Sunil Mahtani† William L. Malmstedt† Susan Mango Erica Mann† Jane Manners† Holland Marcovich Jill Marszalik Todd and Denise Martin† Paul R. Mathewson† Sarah Matthews Dana and Mike McCreesh† Timothy McDermott Amanda McDevitt Mary Jo McGonagle Sarah McGrath Mary Lou McGuire Jon McMenamin-Balano

“

Great location, great programs, great architecture and most importantly great staff!

—Wendy Roseberry

”

Leslie Meredith Donald Milkavich† Ruth Miller Mr. and Mrs. Howard M. Mirsky Butzi Moffitt†† Michael Mombello and Julia Pierson Letizia Morales Faye Mylen Jennifer Najjar Amy Nakano Michael and Rhoda Nayor† Deborah Nester Ms. Susan Nettesheim Katherine and Graham Nix Marcia O’Connell Tom and Kathleen O’Connell Julie Oh Jean and Al Oneto Michele Oricoli Joseph Ornig Elliot Osgood Amy and Billy O’Shea Christy Ottaviano and Kevin Ohé Ann Owens† Deb and Jeff Owens Sharon Palmer Kellie and Stephen Panus† Missy Papageorge Carol Reeves Parke† Melanie Parsons Leslie Pennington Elizabeth B. Perkin Rob Perkin† Bernard Perry Betsy and Dave Perry Marylynn Piotrowski Lori Popkowski Clarissa H. Porter Jack and Anne Powers Katerina Powers Victoria Powers Kelly Preyer Pearson and Madison Probst Ched and Judy Proctor Domonique Racanelli and Peter Kokkinos Felice Recupero-Dworet Linda Reddy Patrice Redgate The Reeds Ann C. Reeves Camilla Richetelli Lin Roman Veronica Rosado Sandra Rosenberg† Hardy and Jenn Royal† Dalia and Reuven Rudich George Russell Wendy and Michael Ryan Wendy and Dominick Savino Beth Schaefer BL Scherer Caron Schwartz The Scoville Family Stella Seo Noreen P. Sewell Ann W. Shaw Joy Shaw Michael and Rebecca Shea Marlene Sheehan Gail Sheriff Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Siderowf Marcie and David Slepian Laura Smith Daniel Snydacker, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Solazzo Remy Sosa Erin Spillman Dr. and Mrs. Robert Stanton† David Stirling Mike Stoddard Honey Milligan Strait Rev. Cecily Stoddard Stranahan† David K. Sturges† Daniel and Pia Suozzo Elizabeth Sweeney Peter and Sandra Tallman Keara and Anthony Tanella Meghan Teed *Deceased

†Donor for 5+ consecutive years

Dolores Tema Rosalina Thomas Meghan Thornton Jacquelyn Thunfors† Honora Timmins Pam Toner Anne Toombs and Skip Morse Geoffrey and Kim Topalian Linda Tors Niki Tremaine Kit and William Ulrich Barbara B. Valk† Hobart Van Deusen* Holly Van Deusen Doug and Joanne VanEsselstyn Stefanie Varga Eugenie Verrillo Kathleen Vogel Rob and Lindsay Wallace† Sally Waugh Mr. Robert A. Webber and Ms. Mary Filippelli-Weber Christin and Adam Weberman Kimberly Weigle Sylvia R. Weiss Nancy Voye Weissler Mary Welch Terry Wettergreen George Whipple Douglas Wieser Anne and Terry Willie Paul and Barbara Winsor Kaitlyn Winterbottom Rosalie Wolf† Barbara and Dennis Wong Alan Wright Beverly Wright Christopher J. Wright and Beth Rhame† Courtney and Frederick Yanni Mallory Young Wendy Yu Sandy Zera† INDIVIDUAL ($50 - $99)

Anonymous† Anonymous Heidi Adair Linda Albanese June Albert Isa Aldyn Cynthia Allen Diana and Michael Ambrose Mark and Nancy Anderson Mr. and Mrs. William B. Auer† Nancy Bailey Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Barnouw Janine Baron Jen Bartlett Lyly Ha and Shawn Bay Jane Becker June Bencivenga Regina Berardino Carmanie Bhatti Peter and Susan Blank Lindsey Bloomenthal Kathleen Bond Henry M. Bonner Jr. Eleanor Bowman Margaret and Marshall Breines Debra Brennan Sandra Brink Theresa A. Brown Eleanor Burke Miggs Burroughs Elizabeth Byrne Gerardo and Grace Calderon† Patricia Carpenter John and Lynne Casey Sheila Cashel George and Kathy Cawman Anne Marie Cernera Mr. and Mrs. John Ceruzzi Mary Chamberlain Curtis Childs Robert and Roberta Clark Melissa and Michael Clear Noelle Cleary Colleen Coffey Mr. Arnold Cohen ††Donor for 20+ consecutive years

Julie Connelly Noreen Cronin Elizabeth and Christopher Cross Mrs. Joan S. Crossman† Vallen M. Cruz Zoltan Csillag Cynthia and Paul Cummiskey Sandra and James Curley Joe and Maryellen Damico Christina deGroot Roberta Delano Frank Delany Rima Demarais Anastasia DeMarche Erica Donigan John and Patricia Donovan Sarah Donovan Whitney Dorrington Linda Doty Dianne Douglas Robert and Fran Dubicki Martha Durham† Karen and Robert Eaker Lauren and Zach Effron Sandy Elgee Kim Fahey Lee Ann Fallet Karim and Elizabeth Farouki George and Anastasia Fassuliotis Michelle Fattibene Susan Fehlinger Virginia Ferrari Arlene and William Field Dennis and Kathryn Flaherty Eileen Foran Sally Galan Molly Galbo Robert Gaunt† Elizabeth M. Gaynor†† Scott Glaser David and Ashley Gold Annette and George Gosselin Catherine Fingelly Granneberg Christine Griffin MaryGrace Gudis Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hagan†† Carol C. Hanks Laura Penn Harmon Jessica Harris William Harrison† Marie Hayes Stephanie Hilton David Hughes and Pamela Browne Michael Hund Lauren Hutnick Laura Ianuly Leslie Jannott Christopher S. J. Jennings Karen Jones John Jorge Jack Kadden Peter Kappel Betsey Katz Sarah and Stephen Keenan Jane Keller Lulu Kellogg Marc Kemeny Kelcey Kirik-King and Shenton King Cherril Kolesik John Koliopoulos Koryne Koutouvides Debra and Alex Krayson Ellen Landowne Jennifer Leeper Marissa Leggiadro Megan Lott Denise Lugar Paul and Diane Lytwyn Adam Macchia Melissa Mack Ann and Rob Mackenzie Julie and Brendon Manwaring Lauren Marcus Tulis McCall† Dennis McCarthy Sharon McClymonds Sandra McCue Kelly McGovern Kara McKenna-Wong

22

Ben McMahon and Grace Harrison Margaret McMann Alex McNab and Diane Melish† Frances Meehan Lydia Menendez Christine Mennie Carolyn Meyer Jori Meyer Bonnie Michell Jeanne and Carson Miller Mr. Jared Miller Irene and Dean Miltimore Robin Miner Chris and Jeanine Monteiro Meredith Mueller Kenneth and Ginabeth Murphy Monica Norwood Sally O’Brien

“

Thank you for organizing such a wonderful trip for my students. We had a lot of fun and learned a great deal. We love visiting the library!

—Ms. Rossi Black Rock School

James T. Orrico Michele Orris-Modugno and Dominick Modugno Kathleen Oshea Todd and Mary Pajonas Valerie Perlman Molly Pieper Jay and Eleanor Powell Ellen Powers Helen Previdi Elisabeth and Andrew Priest Emma Quilhot George Radwan Shelly Ramsay Kerstin Rao Kathleen Reale Debbie Reynolds Gately Ross Dana Rossi

”

Jennifer Rubin Kelle Ruden Danielle Rudich and Matthew Wosnitzer Louis and Julia Ruggio Sally Russell Jessica Ryan The Samoviski Family David and Bronwen Sanders Sharon Sanford Virginia V. Sanford Mary Jo Schmitt Ms. Diane Schwartz Susan Seath Liz Shartel Carol Shear Sara Sicona Craig and Suzanne Simmonds Liz Sippin Taya Skubiak Shelby Smith Berkeley Soper Katherine Sousa Martha Spiegel Caryl Stern Janet Stock Mrs. John W. Stokes †† Caroline Stoughton Tim and Grace Sullivan Ruth Summers Carol and Mike Sweeney Kate Sweeney Laura Taras Sally Tepas Ms. Mary Tetro Addison Thompson Will Thresher Mary Ann Tyma Judy Urquhart Tereza Valle Claire Van de Berghe Katia Vanlandingham Frankie Vinci Mary H. von Conta*†† Victoria Vought Harriet Weiss Rita and Stephen Weisskoff Susan Wexler Alexandra and John Whitaker Laura and Packer Wilbur†† Rita Wilcox Lynette Winchell Caleb Wint Doni Wisdom Jessica Wolf Danielle Rudich and Matthew Wosnitzer Michael and Joanna Wynne Viola Yee JENNIFER CROSBY CARGILL ‘LIPSTICK & PEARLS’ ART FUND

Doc and Sandra W. Bisset, Esq.† LIBRARY GIVING DAY

Anonymous Linda Albanese Elizabeth A. S. Beaudin Mackenzie Berman John Bricker and Suzanne Carbery† Barbara Burian Caroline M. Calder† Gerardo and Grace Calderon† Cheryl Carlesimo and John McCally Anne Marie Cernera Stephanie J. Coakley and Peter Russell† Mr. Arnold Cohen Cynthia and Michael Crawford† Amy Waugh Curry Andrea DaRif† Jane K. Dean†† Virginia Lynch Dean and James Dean Christina deGroot Bridgett and Peter diBonaventura† Abigail Dodge Sherrie and Jim Douglas Susannah Eykyn Ms. Michelle Fattibene Christina Ferrara Frank Festini Alice Flynn *Deceased

†Donor for 5+ consecutive years

Christine and Jarat Ford Becky Francis C. Stephen and Meg Francis Joe* and Roberta Gagne† Mr. and Mrs. Stephen K. Galpin Jr. Johanna Garvey John and Maura Gleckler† Leslie Hammer James and Barbara Harman† Lucinda Heekin Deborah and Michael Held Robbie Hodgson†† Anne R. Jackson Pamela C. Jones Esq. Tracy and Paul Keblish Victoria Konopka† Gerry Lang Lynne Laukhuf† Christina MacLean Leslie and Sunil Mahtani† Jane Manners† Kelsey Martin Todd and Denise Martin† Jessica and Justin McEntee Charles McMahon and Katherine Epifanio Mr. and Mrs. Howard M. Mirsky Mason D. Neely Betsy and Dave Perry Clarissa H. Porter Ellen Powers Eugene and Leslie Riccio† Charlotte Rogan Wendy and Michael Ryan The Samoviski Family Belinda J. Shepard† Rev. Cecily Stoddard Stranahan† Bob and Anne Svensk† Barbara and John Turitzin Graham Turner Lynn and Peter Van Winkle Eugenie Verrillo Kathleen Vogel Sally Wallace David and Anny Ward Deb and Richard Deej Webb† Coke Anne and Jarvis Wilcox† Mr. David Wilson and Ms. Rachel Olschan Kaitlyn Winterbottom

In Honor of Coke Anne & Jarvis Wilcox Anonymous* MEMORIALS

In Memory of Jennifer Crosby Cargill Celie Campbell† In Memory of Joseph Gagne Sandy Zera† In Memory of Eben Graves James and Kitty Graves In Memory of Laura Payne Lowe Anonymous Tara Archer Edward Beisner Christine Brennan Eleanor Burke Linda Doty Joanne Fargo George and Anastasia Fassuliotis Linda Hodges Mike and Jen Knapp Paul and Diane Lytwyn Veronica Rosado Taya Skubiak Honora Timmins George Whipple York International Agency LLC In Memory of Barbara Torrey MacAllaster David S. MacAllaster† In Memory of Joe G. Milkavich Donald Milkavich† In Memory of Anne Patterson Mike Stoddard In Memory of Charlie Proctor Ched and Judy Proctor In Memory of Pat Repko Gerardo and Grace Calderon† Joe* and Roberta Gagne† Sandy Zera†

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Anonymous† Cynthia and Michael Crawford† Claire Langdon Anonymous Gerardo and Grace Calderon† Eliza and Jake Chang Stephanie J. Coakley and Peter Russell† Christine and Jarat Ford Becky Francis Caroline and Paul Gibson Jessica and Justin McEntee Charles McMahon and Katherine Epifanio The Moore Family† Douglas Prescott Blythe and Zandy Smith

LEADERSHIP CORPORATE SPECIAL EVENT SUPPORT VIRGINIA MARQUAND MONROE GUILD ($5,000 - $9,999)

Kasson Jewelers† Oliver Nurseries and Design Associates† On the Harbor The Russell Agency, LLC† MARY CATHERINE HULL WAKEMAN SOCIETY ($2,500 - $4,999)

All Seasons Marine Works Brody Wilkinson PC Jaguar Land Rover M&T Bank Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Russo & Rizio, LLC Santa Energy† Sturges Ridge of Fairfield†

In Honor of Doug Fried Mrs. Jill Birinyi Ellen Kuroghlian In Honor of Bruce Glaser Erica Lear

PATRON ($1,000 - $2,499)

In Honor of Sean Kelly Francis Cunningham

Foxtrot Home Kathryn Herman Design Lendmarq

23

DUAL/FAMILY ($250 - $499)

Bigelow Tea Blue Door Vibes ServiceMaster of Westport† ZIGZAG by Juliet INDIVIDUAL PLUS ($100 - $249)

Autuori Electric LLC Brett Lauren Jewelry The Delamar Hotel Gazy Brothers Farm The Give Collective The Hat Shop NYC Haute Energy in2design Leah Tries Again Mercier Mercantile Sabina Furst Designs Top Banana Two Oh Three Vivid Cottage

CORPORATE UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT PATRON ($1,000 - $2,499)

Capossela, Cohen, LLC† King Industries DUAL/FAMILY ($250-499)

York International Agency LLC

INDIVIDUAL ($50-99)

Arline Gertzoff*

In Honor of Jane Dean Charles and Elen Kentnor

Aspetuck Land Trust, Inc. Capossela, Cohen, LLC† Celie Campbell Realtor Fairfield Country Day School† Fairfield Veterinary Hospital Forger-Kunkel Plumbing and Heating LLC GYL Financial Synergies, LLC Hatfield Insurance Agency, Inc. Lindquist Landscape Design St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School Two Roads Brewing Company

In Memory of David Storrs Landon Storrs

BEQUESTS

In Honor of Charlie Clark Beth Hebert

CONTRIBUTOR ($500 - $999)

INDIVIDUAL PLUS ($100 - $249)

In Memory of Jack B. Zellers Margaret Zellers

TRIBUTES

CORPORATE SPECIAL EVENT SUPPORT

In Memory of Hanah Stoddard Mike Stoddard

In Memory of George Woods Barbara Burian

YOUNG PATRONS GROUP

††Donor for 20+ consecutive years

Nichols MD of Fairfield Pirie Associates Architects Tallman Building Company, Inc.

Elm Street Books Stop & Shop

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS (IN-KIND)

Bodega Taco Bar Miggs Burroughs Celie Campbell† Samuel W. Cargill Casa Me Castle Wine & Spirits Jim Catallo Catering Staff by Mary Watters, LLC Lisa Cooper Crafty Kids Doc’s Road Soda The DRIPBaR of Fairfield Fairfield Women’s Exchange Flutes & Foam Fox News Garelick & Herbs Ellen Gould† Greens Farms Spirit Shop Margaret and James Gruppo Elizabeth R. Hulme Megan and Sean Kelly† Steven and Jennifer Kennedy Kindred Spirits & Wine Kramer Portraits Ellen Kuroghlian Kelly and Richard Laferriere†† Lynne Laukhuf† Living Better Maserati of Westport Jessica and Justin McEntee Mo’s Wine and Spirits Peter Moylan

Nichols MD of Fairfield Benjamin and Courtney Nields Peg and Nelson North†† Oliver Nurseries and Design Associates† One River School Art + Design Pamela Einarsen Photography The Pantry Bernard Perry Reverie Brewing Company Chris and Margaret Rieck† Marna Ringel Dalia and Reuven Rudich Bill and Erin Russell† Julie Sarkissian Kelley and Drew Schutte Linda Shabo Belinda J. Shepard† Michael Shusman Southern Connecticut Ice and Oil LLC Irene Stasko Tacombi Westport Taconic Distillery Tess Paints Pets Tribus Beer Company Two Oh Three Two Roads Brewing Company The Vintage Horse Westport Pilates MUNICIPAL SUPPORT

Town of Fairfield

MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES

Chevron Humankind Goldman, Sachs & Co. Matching Gift Program KPMG Gives c/o Bergen County’s United Way Stifel Financial Corp

*Deceased

†Donor for 5+ consecutive years

FOUNDATIONS FOUNDERS CIRCLE ($10,000 & above)

Anonymous† The Hearst Foundations National Endowment for the Humanities Renée B. Fisher Foundation, Inc.†† Shelter Hill Foundation The Vincent Von Zwehl Memorial Fund VIRGINIA MARQUAND MONROE GUILD ($5,000 - $9,999)

Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation (EHTF)† Muriel F. Siebert Foundation MARY CATHERINE HULL WAKEMAN SOCIETY ($2,500 - $4,999)

Anonymous The M&T Charitable Foundation PATRON ($1,000 - $2,499)

The Steven Della Rocca Memorial Fund First County Bank Horton Family Fund† Kaulbach Charitable Foundation Pequot Runners Wilmot Wheeler Foundation, Inc.† CONTRIBUTOR ($500 - $999)

The William and Diana Romney Gray Family Foundation† The Ruscito and Head Family Foundation† DUAL/FAMILY ($250 - $499)

The James and Wendy Agah Family Foundation† Christian I. & Hilma A. Gravesen Memorial Fund†

MEDIA SPONSORS

Connecticut Cottages & Gardens Venü Magazine WSHU LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS DUAL/FAMILY ($250 - $499)

Connecticut Accordion Association National Charity League, Fairfield Chapter

Robert Dean Architects Sasquanaug Association Shakespeare on the Sound Sustainable Fairfield University of Connecticut Westport MOCA Yale University Yale University ROTC

INDIVIDUAL PLUS ($100 - $249)

Greens Farms Garden Club St. Pius X Parish COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Art of the Early Keyboard (ARTEK) Aspetuck Land Trust Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League Capitol Classics Theater Chabad of Fairfield Chabad of Westport Connecticut Lights Out Connecticut Audubon Connecticut Accordion Association Elisa Contemporary Art Fairfield Forestry Fairfield University Fairfield Public Schools Florence Griswold Museum GCTYO Norwalk Symphony Orchestra Lumos Open Minds//Fairfield University Play With Your Food Pollinator Pathway Ramsey Art Fairs

††Donor for 20+ consecutive years

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our supporter lists. Please accept our sincere apology for any omissions or misspelled names. Contact the Development Office at (203) 259-0346 ext. 125 to update our records.

24

Award Winners MUSA MUHAMMAD | VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR The first time I ever volunteered at Pequot Library was the 2021 book sale. I saw the sense of community between the volunteers of all ages that turned them into a well-oiled machine and how important the book sale was for the community.

I started volunteering on Saturdays in the Pequot Library basement behind the scenes. I got a taste of every task that led up to the book sale like seeing the books that people donated come down the conveyor belt, scanning the books, and sorting and packing the books by theme. But the main thing that kept me coming back every week was the people.

I’m a lot younger than most of the volunteers, and hearing life stories and advice was always something I looked forward to.

I am incredibly grateful and honored to have been chosen as Volunteer of the Year and to receive this award. The recognition means so much to me, and l want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Pequot Library staff, my fellow volunteers, and everyone who supported me along the way. This experience has been truly transformative, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to this wonderful community.

SUSAN SCHROEDER | CRANE-WOOD BOOK SALE VOLUNTEER AWARD I first volunteered at Pequot 20+ years ago after an early retirement from a career in IT and alliance management. At that time the on-site book sales were the primary channel of raising funds from donated books. After an interval working for a local start-up, I returned to Pequot Library and was happy to apply my computer skills to the new online sales channels including Amazon, Square, and eBay and to learn new skills in pricing, online sales, and more. It’s been fun and rewarding to take part in these efforts and to be part of a great team of dedicated staff and volunteers at Pequot. It’s been exciting to see the revenues coming in to the library to support its efforts in the community. It’s amazing what a team of volunteers can do.

PEG AND NELSON NORTH | HOYT O. PERRY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Peg and Nelson North have a long history at Pequot Library. Nelson has served on the board since 2017 and was executive vice president prior to serving as president from 20202022. This October 2024 he is rolling off the Board. Peg has served on the Meet the Author Committee almost since its inception. You will find both volunteering at almost every book sale, and Nelson was a regular behind the bar at the community events, serving beverages to Pequot Library friends. Peg covers the weekly Write-in programs when the regular instructor is unavailable, and it is a rare program that goes unattended by at least one of them.

“Pequot Library was one of the first experiences we had after moving to Southport. We had a young son and wanted to integrate into the community. We knew the Perry family and they introduced us. The children’s programs were (and are) wonderful. We met, and continue to meet, interesting people at Pequot Library programs. Educated, curious folks abound, attend and volunteer. It is an interesting, fun place. Thank you all for what you do”

25

Praise for

Pequot Library “Pequot Library is in a stunning building and is a treasure to peruse. They host constantly changing exhibitions centered around a theme. We have attended a number of different events there and have found each one to be so worth the time to visit! The recent Sea Shanty was so fun and informative. Loved the Grog!

All of the people who work there are kind and very helpful and knowledgeable.”

—Maggie D. from San Francisco

“The dome darkened and we were looking up at a magnificent starry night sky. Children and family members helped to identify individual stars and constellations in the remarkably realistic night sky projected onto the ceiling of the planetarium dome. We learned how sailors used these celestial objects to chart their courses across the ocean. It was awe-inspiring, informative, and fun!”

–Anonymous online review of Mike Francis’ planetarium show

“My kids love this library; it’s cozy and very kid-friendly. All the librarians are so friendly and helpful! Pequot library itself is a beautiful, historical building. This is almost like a museum. So lucky that we have this library in our area!”

—Irene Thomas

“I LOVE that it’s free :) but more seriously, this is one of the only activities my son is currently enrolled in that he consistently wants to attend. There is a great diversity of students in age, school, demographics, and he’s loved getting to meet new people. I think John is also a calm and knowledgeable presence.”

–Anonymous Chess Club review

“I thought the presenters were very knowledgeable and well-spoken. I learned a lot about native plants and trees and enjoyed the questions and comments of the group as well.”

—Patricia Kearns, discussing our Living Bird-Friendly Symposium

“My children loved the program and were laughing their heads off. I love the introduction to Shakespeare.”

–Anonymous review of the ShakesBears puppet show

“There was a fantastic hawk and owl encounter at Pequot Library. Amazing creatures! ‘Lights Out CT’ is SO important to saving birds that migrate at night!!”

—Pamela Jones, discussing our Living Bird-Friendly Symposium

“My son loved the game, the campaign, the camaraderie, the feeling of belonging. He looked forward to it every week, and I loved that!”

–Anonymous review of Dungeons & Dragons

“This magnificent and welcoming library offers a tranquil oasis of quiet sanctuary.

So many cherished architectural features include fireplaces, stunning original Tiffany stained-glass windows, ornate wrought iron scrollwork everywhere, and intricate woodwork. A wonderful place to read, walk the manicured grounds, and participate in the numerous activities and lectures on diverse and fascinating subjects. A true gem in the exquisite town of Southport, CT.” —Marian Sawyer

“I learned a lot from you guys. And the rare and old books were very interesting.

My favorite part was the time machine. It was funny and cool. So again, thank you, Pequot Library.”

–Michael, fifth-grade school tour visitor “My favorite part is me on stage. I was so shy. It was great. Thank you!”

–Isabella, third-grade Meet the Orchestra program participant

720 Pequot Avenue, Southport, CT 06890 | pequotlibrary.org | (203) 259-0346

Annual Report design: Victoria Konopka Annual Report content and editing: Grace Calderon, Christine Catallo, Stephanie J. Coakley, Cecily Dyer, John Gleckler, Alex Heekin, John Kofron, Owen Lockwood, Jane Manners, Jessie McEntee, Charlie McMahon