Our History

The  Friends of the Duxbury Free Library was founded in 1976 by current resident Deborah Hill Bornheimer and a team of dedicated volunteers.  Today, the committee consists of fourteen board members who work closely with the Library Director.  The Friends enthusiastically continue on with their mission, with current board members serving at least a two year term.  Through the years, the Friends of the Library have been using their inspiration and many talents to create awareness of the library’s needs and then to meet those needs by raising funds in creative ways.

Since the first ripple of budget cuts significantly affected the library in 2003, the Friends have been committed to a number of successful fundraisers such as indoor mini-golf events within the library, our first annual author fundraiser in July 2013 with Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Russo, and in 2014 with author Andre Dubus III, our used book sale, giclee prints, and note cards -- all for community awareness and support for our library. 

Since 2000, the funds raised by the Friends of the Library in their yearly membership drives and special events have permitted the library to maintain its state accreditation.  State accreditation is necessary for membership in the Old Colony Network, which makes it possible for library users to borrow from a wide variety of area libraries.  Funds raised also provide for the materials budget and make possible many diverse and impressive programs to patrons of all ages, including many new “hot off the press” book additions to the shelves, the addition of eBooks, the exciting summer reading programs for children, and the awarding of scholarships to high school seniors.

“The Friends provide a great service for the community,” said State Representative Daniel Webster at a previous fundraiser.  “Unfortunately, there are limited resources at the state level.  Where there is a void in the budget, the Friends can step in and become a terrific asset.”  As the library continues to meet new challenges and confront the increased demands with less reliability on the tax dollar, the generosity of the Friends is truly essential.  To define our library as one of the best and most admired in Massachusetts is absolutely achievable because of the enormous support of the Friends, whose membership includes many businesses and residents in our town.

The Friends rely on the generosity of sponsors through their yearly membership drive.  After all, the library is an integral community resource we depend on to comfort, connect and continue to enrich every generation in Duxbury.