Impact Fund: Becky Herrmann Memorial

Former library director, Becky Herrmann, passed away in December of 2022. During this season of giving, the Library Trustees are working to create three lasting memorials to honor her spirit and her impact on the community. We invite you to help make these dreams a reality.

A gift of any size shows your belief in the things that Becky was passionate about: meaningful service, a dedication to reading and learning, and the importance of connection. When you give, you will partner with others who share these values, building the kinds of relationships that are at the heart of our library and the community.

Thank you for joining us with a gift to honor Becky; a remarkable person who had a big impact on life in Chelmsford for 21 years. Thank you for believing in the mission of the library and the difference one person can make.
Please give what you can to make these dreams a reality!

Read – Learn – Grow

Inspired by Becky’s love of gardening and the beauty of nature, a custom sculpture celebrating the values of Read. Learn. Grow. will grace the library’s lower courtyard for all to enjoy. This one-of-a-kind artwork will reflect Becky’s influence on the grounds at the Adams and MacKay libraries – including the Scoboria Greenway. Local artist Chris Polson, creator of Immersion, the mermaid sculpture adorning the library’s carriage house, has been commissioned to create this beautiful 12’ x 12’ kinetic sculpture; a lasting and joyful tribute.

Welcoming Readers

To promote Becky’s love of reading and her conviction that the community who reads together grows together, a new Readers’ Advisory desk will be constructed. Every reader in our community will be welcomed by personalized recommendations and the thrill of discovery. The new desk is being designed and built by the creator of much of the library’s custom furniture as an inviting feature on the main floor of the library.

Lifelong Learning

Becky was a lifelong learner and inspired others to pursue their own passions. In addition to library-related classes and conferences, she attended intensive baking workshops developing unparalleled bread-making skills – a gift she shared to bring people together. To honor this part of Becky’s legacy, the Trustees plan to create a continuing education fund for staff members to master new skills or develop interests they can share with others and the community.

Donate by Check

Or you can write a check instead of donating online! Checks should be made payable to “Chelmsford Library Gift Book Fund” with “Impact Fund” or “Becky Herrmann Memorial” in the memo field. Print a donation form here and drop the check off at the Library, or mail it to:

Chelmsford Public Library
Impact Fund
25 Boston Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824

The Chelmsford Friends of the Library’s Tax ID number is 04-3086577.

 

Previous Campaigns

With your help, we funded a mobile Pop-up Library that now visits schools, playgrounds, senior housing, farmer’s markets and community events.

 

 

Thank You to our Sponsors

Thanks to everyone who has donated to the Impact Fund, including these organizations:

 

More About the Impact Fund

Every few years, the Impact Fund campaign will focus on adding something new to the mix for the library and the community. It could be an innovative service, a new building feature, or a unique series of programs. It will be designed to enrich the community and improve your library experience – in other words, an added value above and beyond traditional library services. These campaigns will also ensure that the Chelmsford Public Library (Adams) and the MacKay Branch receive sufficient funding and continue to thrive.

Please join us by becoming an Impact Fund donor to maintain and enhance one of Chelmsford’s greatest assets.

To learn about additional options for supporting the Library, please visit our Gift-Giving Opportunities page.

Why are we doing this?

We spoke to past donors and potential future library supporters. The majority of responses suggested that patrons wanted to donate to big projects with concrete goals as they did in creating the Scoboria Greenway.

How much do we hope to raise?

We raised over $75,000 over the course of the On the Move campaign!

Why aren’t town taxes paying for this?

The library’s operating expenses are well-funded by the Town but for new ideas we often look to the Friends of the Library and to community fundraising. Once we can show support for the idea, we are in a better position to request additional funding from the Town.