The Hubbard Free Library is back! After hunkering down through the worst of COVID-19, we are now open more hours and providing services to our community well beyond pre-pandemic levels.
Our staff’s constant efforts to keep the Hubbard functioning at a high level resulted in a substantial increase in participation. Patron and visitor numbers increased from pre-pandemic levels of 500 to over 2,000 every month. Patrons demanded and Hubbard delivered more books, more inter-library loans, more programs, up to date computers and expanded Wi-Fi, more information about Hallowell history, more tours of our historic building, more reference questions, more book groups, and more story times. The result; the library buzzes with people throughout the week.
A key element of our success is the support provided by our community, as well as the City of Hallowell. The Hubbard is funded by our Annual Fund Campaign, by the City’s annual contribution, by our Old Hallowell Day book sale, and by contributions from our modest endowment.
Our 2022 Annual Fund Campaign, our single most important source of funding, has an ambitious goal of $45,000. The campaign kick-off begins on Friday, Oct. 21st, with “The Stevens School, Then, Now and In The Future,” featuring Earle Shettleworth, Frank O’Hara and Matt Morrill.
The Hubbard is both an outstanding library and a historic building. Established in the present Neo-Gothic building in 1880, the library requires nearly constant attention to ongoing maintenance. In the past five years, the Trustees invested nearly $250,000 raised from various grants in an ongoing program of repairs, preservation, and improvements to the building intended to prolong its useful life for another 140 years while reducing costs and improving energy efficiency.
Please renew your support or become a first-time donor to your library. You can easily donate at www.hubbardfree.org or by mailing a check. See our website to create a recurring monthly contribution.
Thank you very much.
Kenneth C. Young, Jr.
President, Board of Trustees
The Hubbard Free Library is an IRC 501 © (3) charitable corporation. Donations to the Hubbard Free Library are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for this donation.
Other ways to help:
Volunteer
There are many opportunities for volunteering at the Hubbard, including, but not limited to: re-shelving books and other items, assisting at our weekly Children’s Hour – reading to children; helping with arts and crafts activities -, or serving as a computer guru. Stop by and see if there’s something you might like to do.
The Friends of Hubbard Free Library
The Friends of the Hubbard Free Library sponsor both adult and children’s programming throughout the year. Annual membership fees, as well as fund-raising events such as books sales and raffles, make a wide variety of programs possible. The group has also supported the library in other ways in the past: providing a new sign for out front, a refrigerator, two computers, an adjustable crafts table for the Children’s Room, as well as Leo the Library Lion (the kids love him). They provide refreshments for all events, prizes for our Summer Reading program, keep the library looking warm and welcoming with plants and other decorations, and take on various special projects from time to time. All are welcome to attend the meetings, the fourth Wednesday of every month at noon in the library. Bring a bag lunch, and help brainstorm ideas for programs and fund-raising events! If you are unable to attend meetings, consider at least becoming a member: Individual: $10, Family: $15, Business: $50, Lifetime $75 (per person). Checks should be made out to Friends of Hubbard Free Library.
Capital Campaign
Our capital campaign is winding down, but it’s not too late to contribute! While donations received thus far have enabled us to replace the 130-year-old slate roof, replace our ancient boiler with two excellent new ones (no more having to wear gloves in the library in the dead of winter!), and replace the noisy, defective heaters in the children’s room, much still remains to be done, including repairing the chimney, restoring our beautiful windows which, alas, are not as tight as they should be, and installing a handicapped-accessible restroom. Donations can be made by check or made electronically by clicking on the Donate Button above. All donations, no matter what the amount, are greatly appreciated.
Planned Giving
There are numerous methods of making charitable gifts, many while retaining income interest, with current tax deductions generated for remainder gifts. Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts, Remainder Unitrusts, Pooled Income Funds and Gift Annuities are some examples. For information on these and other possibilities please contact Ken Young, Board President.
Amazon Smile
When you shop at smile.amazon.com, and select the Hubbard Free Library as your charity, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the value of your purchase to support the Hubbard.
