It was a packed event at the sold-out fundraiser for the Friends of the North End Branch Library held on Wednesday night at the Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel. There was a silent auction with signed books by local authors about subjects ranging from cooking, neighborhood history to sports legends. Entertainment was provided by NEMPAC’s cello instructor, Ginevra Ventre. There was also a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres. Although the group has held book sales in the past, this was the first fundraiser cocktail event. The Friends group is hoping to make it an annual event.
President Robin Ardito thanked the attendees for supporting the North End Branch, highlighting the contributions that the library makes to the community. She also thanked the Fairmont for donating the space and fellow organizers Jane Connolly, Christine Bergstrom, Peter Greene, Paula Luccio, Donna Wells, Phyllis Vitti, Lauren Wolf and Pam Knight.
Among the crowd, the topic of the night was the Boston Public Library’s announcement to close up to 10 of its branches. The BPL has scheduled upcoming budget meetings but has not identified which branches may be closed. The North End Branch Library is in the bottom 10 branches as measured by items checked out of the library, although it is not clear what factors will go into potential branch closures. State Representative Aaron Michlewitz attended the benefit and pledged to “fight for the North End Library.”
If you missed the event and still want to contribute, checks can made out to the “Friends of the North End Branch Library” and mailed to 25 Parmenter St, Boston, MA 02113, or drop by the circulation desk at the library. The Friends group meets at the library on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. Email the friends at folnebread@comcast.net.
Below are some photos of the fundraiser event:
Maybe it’s me – I apologize if this is the case – but as a contributor to the brick walkway in the North End branch, why weren’t we included in the invitation list for this event? We would have happily attended and continued supporting our neighborhood library.
We are so sorry if you missed this First Annual Fund Raiser. Since it was our first time organizing such an event, we clearly missed some of our patrons. For this we apologize.
We did announce here on this website, ran weekly announcements in the North End Regional Review, posted the announcement on billboards at the entrance to the library and at neighborhood retail establishments, and included all details in our member newsletter which mails out each month. We are sorry these communications missed you and will try harder at our next event to reach everyone!
Thanks to those who did join us. Your support means so much to the North End Branch Library.