WPL FOUNDATION
Vision
The Worcester Public Library Foundation was established to enhance the public visibility and to raise public and private funds to ensure the continuing vitality of the Worcester Public Library.
The Worcester Public Library Foundation was formed in 2003 by a group of concerned citizens who recognized the need for private support to sustain and enhance the resources and services within the library. The Board of Trustees and the many individuals, corporations, and local foundations which support the Foundation each bring a commitment to the library’s vision of being a welcoming destination and a leading provider of resources to inform, enlighten and enrich our diverse community. The Foundation supports the library’s vision to be a welcoming destination and the leading provider of resources to inform, enlighten and enrich our diverse community.
For more information, contact:
Julie Glavin
Executive Director
jglavin@wplfoundation.org
508-799-1656
History
The Worcester Public Library was established in 1859 when Dr. John Green, a prominent local physician, gave his personal library of 13,000 books and an endowment to the City of Worcester.
In its 150 year history, the library has evolved into the largest public library, in terms of both space and resources, in central Massachusetts. The library maintains its main facility at 3 Salem Square and two smaller branches: the Frances Perkins Branch Library at Greendale and the Great Brook Valley Library. Last year, the library circulated over 690,000 items from its collection of over 1,091,000 books and materials.
In 2003, a group of concerned citizens recognized the need for private funding to sustain and enhance the library’s resources and services. These individuals formed the Worcester Public Library Foundation and received a 501(c)3 status in 2004. All support of the library is directed to the Worcester Public Library Foundation, with the exception of government, state, and local municipal funding of the library. The Foundation honors restrictions placed on funds, and returns those funds to the library for appropriate dissemination. The Foundation retains unrestricted funds for use as designated by the Foundation’s Executive Director and its Board of Trustees, in consultation with the Head Librarian.
Today, the Worcester Public Library Foundation operates under the direction of Julie Glavin, the Executive Director, and an active and engaged Board of Trustees. Due to the community’s generous support, the foundation is able to support a range of programs and resources for the library’s 101,000 library card holder and 820,000 annual visitors.
Board of Trustees
President: Leslie Fish
Vice President: Robert W. Sorrenti
Treasurer: James R. Merz
Nominating Committee, Chair: Edward Augustus
Development and Planned Giving, Chair: Sheila Tetler
Special Events: Ellen M. Cummings
Edward Augustus, of Worcester, College of the Holy Cross
Kristin Bafaro: of Worcester, Executive Director, CultureLEAPS.
Melinda J. Boone, of Worcester, Superintendent, Worcester Public Schools.
Ellen M. Cummings, of Worcester, Regional Director of External Affairs for Central and Western MA, Verizon.
Leslie Fish, of Worcester, Senior Director of Pharmacy Services, Fallon Community Health Plan.
Roberta Goldman,of Shrewsbury, educator and political activist.
Nancy Jeppson,of Worcester, development officer, Worcester Art Museum.
Christine Kardokas,of Oxford, retired staff, Worcester Public Library.
Jeanne Kissane, of Worcester, Major Gifts Officer and Development Writer, Clark University
Patricia Mahoney,of Sudbury, Senior Vice President, Commerce Bank.
James R. Merz, of Jefferson, Vice President and Chief Actuary, Hanover Insurance Group.
Michael O. Moore, of Millbury, Massachusetts State Senator.
Robert F. Nolan, Jr., of Westborough, Senior Director of Communications, Fallon Community Health Plan.
Heather Robinson of Worcester, health educator.
Shelley Rodmanof Worcester, Director of Development for Tufts Veterinary School of Medicine.
Robert W. Sorrenti, MD, MHA, of Worcester, Vice President Chief Medical Officer for UniCare
Katy Sullivan, resident of Worcester, MA.
Joseph W. Spillane, of Worcester, Spillane & Spillane, LLP.
Mary A. Tanona, of Worcester, attorney.
Sheila L. Tetler, of Worcester, West Boylston Public Schools.
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