Anyone can be a Friend! The Friends of Patten Free Library is an organization of volunteers whose purpose is to promote the resources and services of the Library, sponsor programs, and generate financial support. Membership is open to all adults, meetings are held monthly, and annual dues are minimal. The leadership is composed of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, elected on an annual basis in the fall for a term of one year.
Members of the Friends are responsible for producing the Annual Heritage Days Used Book Sale, staffing the library bookstore, and planning additional fund raising efforts, programs and social events throughout the year ~ all for the benefit of the Library.
Joining the Friends of PFL is a wonderful way to meet new people, work on enjoyable and worthwhile projects and support one of the jewels of our community. As a private, non-profit organization, Patten Free Library is always in need of additional funding. Helping in this endeavor provides the Friends with many rewarding experiences.
Pick up a membership form at the Library or the library bookstore and return the completed form with your dues ($10 for individual or household) either by dropping it off or by mailing it to The Friends of PFL, 33 Summer St., Bath, ME 04530. Please check out the Friends bulletin board near the front desk for announcements.
There are many volunteer opportunities available at the Patten Free Library.
Anyone interested can either volunteer through the Friends of the Patten
Free Library, the library bookstore, or the volunteer system established at
the Library.
Among the many opportunities available at the Library, volunteers are needed
for shelf reading, delivering books to outreach patrons, assisting with
children's programs, and more. If interested, print out the Volunteer
Application form and return it to the Library.
Annual
giving donations bridge the gap between municipal funding and the
actual cost of operating the Library in order to sustain an updated
collection, programming, and excellent library services. Solicitation begins in November of each year and continues until the close
of the Library's fiscal year on June 30th.
Naturally, donations will be graciously accepted any time during the
year. All donations no matter the size are greatly appreciated
How to Give:
Mail:
Click to print the Gift
Donation Form.
Online:
Click to donate by credit or debit
card via a partnership with Donate.net - The Secure Donations Network.
Securities: The library is prepared to accept gifts of securities. The tax advantages to such gifts make this a very attractive option. For assistance please contact Library Director Lesley Dolinger at lesley.dolinger@patten.lib.me.us or 207.443.5141 ext. 15. Patten Free Library is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Gifts
that are made in memory of or in honor of loved ones or friends are a
lasting tribute. Depending on the wishes of the family, there may be
opportunities to designate additions to the collection, wish list
items, or landscape enhancement in the name of an individual. If you
are interested in exploring any of these possibilities, please contact
Library Director Lesley Dolinger at lesley.dolinger@patten.lib.me.us
or 207.443.5141 ext. 15.
How to Give:
Mail: Click to print the Tribute Gift Form
Online: Click to donate by credit or debit
card via a partnership with Donate.net - The Secure Donations Network.
Patten Free Library is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax
deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Planned Giving
The
generosity of earlier patrons established a sizable endowment fund for
the library, allowing us to provide outstanding benefits to our
community with minimal impact on taxpayers.
As
our community grows, so do the demands on our endowment funds. We will
need increased financial support to keep pace with changing
technologies and to provide future growth in services. Learn how a gift
to the Library's endowment fund can provide financial benefits to both
you and your library.
Ways
of Giving
There
are numerous ways to support the library through planned giving. You
can help with gifts such as:
· Cash · Securities
· Gifts by Will · Life Insurance Programs
· IRAs · Real Property ·
Charitable Remainder Trusts
For further information on these or other types of
charitable giving contact Library Director Lesley Dolinger at lesley.dolinger@patten.lib.me.us
or 207-443-5141 ext. 15 or pick up a Planned Giving brochure at the
Library.
Generosity
has been the hallmark of Bath area citizens for generations. The John
Patten Society is the latest embodiment of that spirit. Created by the
Library's Board of Trustees in 2003, the John Patten Society honors
individuals who have shown exemplary leadership by contributing to the
Library's Endowment Fund. Gifts which qualify an individual for
membership in the Patten Society include:
A
donation of $5,000 or more
Designating
Patten Free Library in a will
Including
Patten Free Library in planned giving
Through such gifts or bequests, each Society member follows the visionary legacy of Capt. John Patten who, with his brother George, laid the groundwork for what is today's Patten Free Library. Twenty-seven thoughtful individuals or couples joined these distinguished gentlemen in sustaining the future of Patten Free Library by becoming Charter Members of the John Patten Society in 2004. As more people hear of the Society, the membership continues to grow.
The
Patten Free Library invites you to join the John Patten Society. Please
contact:
Susan Beegel
William
& Louise Bellow Dr. Charles Burden Crispin
& Nancy Connery Daniel R. Donovan Catherine
Dupuis-Tait Irene & Steve Gardner Sally
& Terry Gray Mr. & Mrs. Spencer E. Gray, Jr.
Mary N. Guild Roger & Sukey Heard Linda
& Ted Hoch Paul & Marnie Kalkstein James M. & Lavina S. Kemp
Jane & Herb Kresser
Daniel & Susan Levey
Ken Martin Arthur & Martha Mayo
Beryl & Ken McPherson
David & Annie Miller
John H. & Jean L. Morris
James A. Peavey
Suzette Perkins Richard & Constance Porter
Joyce Pye James L. Rice Edwin S. Rich
Charles & Shirley Richelieu James
& Michelle Rines Ken & Melissa
Textor Elena D. Vandervoort Sandra & David Weiss Andy &
Katie Winglass
