Support the Library

Support the Library

A Gift to the Bedford Free Public Library is a Gift to the Whole Community.

Join our Friends

Become a member of the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library! Our Friends enrich the Library in many ways. Please consider becoming a member.

Volunteer

Interested in volunteering? We have volunteers shelve books, make phone calls, and perform routine office tasks. Please call the Assistant Director at 781-275-9440 to discuss available opportunities.

Book Donations (We are not accepting books at this time due to HVAC project)

The Library appreciates donations of used books.  Some books are selected to add to the Library’s collection. The remainder is given to the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library for their book sales. Proceeds go to enrich the Library’s services by paying for annual museum passes, purchasing special equipment, and supporting library programs. A receipt form is available for tax purposes.

Gifts of Artifacts, Furniture, Etc.

Townspeople have been and continue to be very generous to the Library.  However, gifts of furniture, artifacts, computers, art, or other pieces, which would not be part of the Library’s collections, can only be accepted by a vote of the Library Trustees. Such gifts must be given with the understanding that their use or location will be subject to the overall space needs of the Library. If accepted, the Library Trustees may reserve the right in the future to place such gifts with the Bedford Historical Society or in another Town department. The Trustees are reluctant to accept gifts if the ownership of the item would be burdensome to the space or resources of the Library.

Memorial Books

Books may be given to the Library as a memorial, in honor of a special person. A gift bookplate will be placed in the front of the book with the name of the person in whose honor it is given and, if desired, the donor. For this type of gift, please speak to the Library Director or Assistant Director about your wishes.

Suggestions about appropriate subjects for the memorial are invited. Librarians will recommend titles and consult with the donor as needed. We are pleased to notify the family for a memorial gift or for a gift given in appreciation of the person being honored.

General Gifts

Monetary gifts may be made to the General Gift Fund.  Once accepted, the wishes of the donor are always honored.  When there is no specific use noted for the gift, generally it is used to purchase more books or other materials for the Library.

Special Gifts

Gifts for special purposes come to the Library from civic groups and/or individuals. Examples of special gifts are funds for large print books from the local Lion’s Club and a special fund for purchasing materials on learning and developmental disabilities from the Daniel R. Nickerson Foundation. These gifts should be discussed with the Library Director on an individual basis.

Bequests

The Bedford Library had its origins in the gifts of generous citizens who founded the Bedford Free Public Library Corporation, which was chartered by the Massachusetts  General Court in 1870 and 1972.

Continuing this tradition, many citizens have remembered the Library in their wills, and those gifts and trusts continue to enrich and promote the well being of the Bedford Library.

Those wishing to consider such a planned gift to the Library may contact the Library Director to discuss requirements of the bequest and the needs of the Library.

Any questions? Please call the Library at 781-275-9440. Thank you!