Friends of the Library
About the Friends of the Town of Pelham Public Library
Anyone and everyone who loves books, films, music and learning, believes the Library is a rich community resource and supports the Library is a Friend of the Library. The Friends of the Town of Pelham Public Library is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), organization. The Friends organization is comprised of a Board of 21 Pelham residents who volunteer their time to run special events and raise money to help our Library remain a vibrant community resource. Board meetings are held bi-monthly, excluding the summer months, to consider various projects to raise funds for the Library and broaden the scope of programs it offers. Board Members serve a three-year-term which can be renewed once.
With the exception of a small amount of State aid and income from fines, interest and used book sales, the basic operating income of the Library is provided by the Town of Pelham through property taxes.
Every year, funds the Friends have raised enhance the services provided by the Town’s appropriation to the Library by supporting programs for adults and children, access to electronic information and other new technology such as e-books, new computers, new furniture, some repairs and special additions to the collection. The Friends also sponsor community-wide celebrations such as Booktemberfest as well as the annual Kindergarten Day at the Library when kindergarteners get their first library card.
Current Friends Officers (2024):
- Elizabeth Bewley & Elizabeth “Beth” Ritchie, Co-Presidents
- Sabrina Glaser, Treasurer
- Suzanne McNamara, Secretary
Current Friends Board Members (2022-24):
- Jessyka Calzolaio
- Ravneeta Consul
- Fred Gallo (past co-president)
- Gilyana Jones
- Laura Kalehoff
- Lauren Keenan (past co-president)
- Monika Konieczna
- Courtney Burke Maron
- Sanjay Naik
- Peter Occolowitz
- Amy O’Hara
- Jessica Pearson
- Lina Pearl
- Colleen Ring
- Alexandra Valdes-Fauli
To become a volunteer, please email the friends at Friendsofpelhamlibrary@gmail.
About Novel Night
The Friends’ major fundraiser is Novel Night, a biennial event. The last Novel Night was held September 30, 2023, and you can see pictures and learn more about the event at pelhamnovelnight.com. The next Novel Night will be held in 2025.
About Our History
The opening of the Pelham Public Library in 1995 was the culmination of a 10-year effort on the part of the Friends. A group of dedicated volunteers came up with a vision of a town library, located a former church to house it, and raised nearly $2 million to purchase, renovate and equip the Library. The Friends delivered it to the town of Pelham complete with a collection of books that included the collection of the former Village of Pelham Public Library. Once the new Library was in operation, the Friends’ role began to evolve into what it is today.
