Foundations and Friends

I was definitely no book worm growing up. In fact, I cringed at the thought of reading. Regardless, the reading assignments and homework assignments poured in. My feelings of dislike for reading did not stop me from taking full advantage of the Milton Public Library. The library had much more to offer than its large array of books. By the 4^th grade I spent every day after school in the library, whether it was social hour with a librarian yelling at us to be quiet or my first research project on the frustratingly slow computers and printers.

Now, the Milton Public Library has reached an entire new level. Of course there are still books upon books upon books; however, the place is overflowing with modern technology. I wouldn’t recognize the place if it hadn’t kept its historical 1904 front entrance, landscape, and location. The new, nearly complete, renovations did not come easy to the library. It started with establishing the Milton Public Library Foundation to start and ensure the library’s growth and to raise funds for the expansion and preservation. Aside from the physical aspects, the foundation enables programs and resources by creating a modern library, community and program space, and ongoing support after the building was constructed. The foundation is currently run by an executive board with Herbert Voigt as President.

Establishing a foundation, especially one that has achieved so many goals, obviously takes a lot of work, internal and external. The Miltoncommunity played a vital role during this long process. It was through community and public writing that the community came together and supported the cause. After the decision was made to go ahead with the extensive plans for the new building and all it has to offer, the main problem then became money. As a result, the community stuck together and more public writing was in the works. Campaign letters, donation requests, any amount of money benefited the Milton Public Library.

Once the town achieved their goal and the new building was in place, another organization was created to continue the growth of the library in addition to The Milton Public Library Foundation. In form of a membership program, “Friends” was created as a non-profit organization to ensure that the benefits of the community’s hard work would continue by funding programs, activities, and events. One can become a “Friend of the library” to show their support by joining for $15 (individuals) or $25 for families. The money goes to sponsoring the programs offered to the community and sign is easily done online.  Members of the Friends include individuals, families, and businesses who support the programs, resources, and services the Milton Public Library offers. This organization depends on the membership dues, donations, and grants, all of which rely heavily on public writing and/or writing to the public.

The Milton Public Library also depends on volunteer work in their book shop café, and more.