The Harvard Public Library Trust was established in 1998 to accept, hold, and manage donations and bequests to the Harvard Public Library in support of its long-term needs. Trust funds contributed to the construction of the new library building, which opened in 2007. Since then, donations to the Trust have supported library needs that public funding alone cannot meet, such as capital improvements, staff development, and special program opportunities.
How to Donate
Donations to the Trust can be made year round through checks, PayPal, or planned giving. Checks should be made payable to the Harvard Public Library Trust. Please contact the Director to receive guidelines for planned giving, bequests, and gifts of securities. The Trust is 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions are tax deductible.
How Funds are Used
The Trust welcomes and encourages donations to fund and support the library. These gifts may be made for long-term use or designated to the Book Fund or other special projects that the library undertakes.
Harvard Public Library Book Fund
For the past ten years, donations to the HPL Book Fund have made it possible for the Library to remain open on Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm during the school year. Proceeds from the Book Fund are used to purchase library materials such as books, CDs, DVDs, online database subscriptions, and periodicals. As a result, some of the funds in the annual budget designated for materials can then be applied to opening the library more hours.
Special Project Funds
The original building plan for the new Library included projects that were designated to be completed after the Library was opened. One of these projects, completed in Spring 2015, was landscaping including a Children’s Garden. As we’ve settled into the new library and assessed patrons’ needs, the Trustees continually evaluate the need for new projects to best meet the needs of the community.