Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As we reflect on another remarkable year at Whelden Memorial Library, we want to express our gratitude for your continued support.

Each gift you make helps us remain a vibrant community hub and a welcoming place for learning, gathering and growing together. This year, we’re reaching out to ask for your help to sustain and expand our offerings, enrich our community, and fund essential projects.

Our Mission and Programs—

For You and Your Family

Whelden Library is a private, non-profit organization. More than half of our budget relies on fundraising and donations

from community members like you. Your tax-deductible gift will help keep our doors open and our programs thriving.

Through your generosity,

we continue to offer:

Expansive Access to Resources: We offer thousands of print and non-print items, including books, DVDs, and CDs, alongside statewide borrowing through our CLAMS network membership. This membership, funded in part by your donations, ensures access to an extensive range of materials to our community.
Innovative and New Offerings: Our popular Library of Things collection, containing record players, a tea library, DVD and CD players, Tonieboxes, seeds for gardening, and more, continues to grow. We’re dedicated to providing both physical media (CDs, audiobooks, DVDs) for those who value entertainment without subscription costs, as well as digital resources like Libby, Hoopla, and Mango Languages.
A Place to Gather: With record participation this year, we’ve offered classes, storytime, free WiFi, and a quiet workspace for all ages. Every event we host is designed to bring our community closer together.
Commitment to Accessibility: Thanks to a $10,000 American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities Grant and your support, we’ve repaired our handicap ramp and plan to complete our outdoor book return by the new year. We are still fundraising for essential parking lot improvements and accessible parking spaces.
Volunteering Opportunities: Whether by joining our board, participating in the Friends of the Library, or helping at fundraisers like the Hydrangea Festival or Transfer Station events, your time and effort make a big difference.
Exciting Fundraisers Ahead: We have some exciting new fundraisers coming up, including Photos with the Grinch, along with our regular events like bake sales, book sales, and the annual Haunted House. We’ll also continue participating in the Village and Hydrangea Festivals.

Contribute to Your Village Library...

Our Funding Goal is $90,870:

To sustain our programs and cover operational and capital costs, we need to raise a significant amount of funds through grants, fundraisers and your gifts.

Every dollar you give brings us closer to making Whelden a library for everyone.

With your support, Whelden Library will continue to grow and adapt to the needs of our community.

Together, let’s keep Whelden a special place in our village.

Our $313,964 budget includes:

$ 29,125 for materials
$194,375 for staff
$ 40,559 for occupancy
$ 7,500 for programs
$ 42,404 for annual audit, insurance, CLAMS services and equipment

Considering a Bequest?

Many donors are surprised to find they can give in ways that also benefit their families and estates. Options like donor-advised funds or charitable bequests offer potential tax advantages. Please consider discussing with your financial advisor how a planned gift to Whelden Library could maximize your impact for years to come.

With Heartfelt Thanks...

Carol Allen, President
Jaime Rogers, Vice President
Courtney Pistone, Secretary
Debra DeJonker-Berry, Treasurer

Caroline “Pooch” Ewing
Elaine Grace
Kenyon Gregoire
Andrea Figaratto, Library Director

Interested in becoming a Trustee?

Please consider joining our board!

Visit us online at wheldenlibrary.org to fill out our contact form, or email us at whelden@comcast.net for more information.

Your Gift in Action...

Thanks to the generosity of our community, Whelden Memorial Library accomplished so much last year! Here’s how your support made a difference:

Providing Programs for All Ages:

We hosted over 250 programs for children, teens, and adults, ranging from educational workshops to creative crafts and engaging storytimes. These events brought our community together and created countless opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection.

Serving Our Growing Community:

More than 1,500 patrons visited our library every month, taking advantage of our welcoming space for discovery, relaxation, and exploration. Your contributions helped us meet the evolving needs of our vibrant community, making Whelden a cornerstone of West Barnstable.

Expanding Innovative Collections:

We’ve introduced exciting new resources like the Little Tea Library and the Vinyl Collection, alongside items like record players, Tonieboxes, DVD and CD players, and museum passes for free or discounted entry. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our Library of Things in 2025, ensuring that Whelden remains a dynamic hub for curiosity and culture.

Your support makes all of this possible, and every gift strengthens our ability to serve West Barnstable and beyond. Whether it’s a child’s first storytime, a senior discovering a new favorite author, or a family exploring a museum together, your generosity is at the heart of every experience.