From left, Library Trustee Rita Araujo, Phyllis Haskell, Patricia Gailes, Friends Chairperson Zachary LaPointe, Susanne Andrews, Library Trustee Chair Ron O’Connor, Leonard Hull Jr., and Library Trustee Ann Meitzen with a $10,000 check for the Dighton Public Library Building Project. (Photo courtesy Town of Dighton)
DIGHTON — Town Administrator Ralph Vitacco and Library Director Mark Procknik are pleased to share that the Friends of the Dighton Public Library recently raised $10,000 to support the Dighton Public Library Building Project.
“We are profoundly grateful for the generous donation of the proceeds from their successful golf tournaments in 2023 and 2024,” said Chair of the Dighton Public Library Board of Trustees and Co-chair of the Dighton Public Library Building Committee Ron O’Connor. “The Friends are invaluable partners as we move forward to transform the historic Smith Memorial Hall into a 21st-century library for the residents of Dighton.”
In September, the Friends of the Dighton Public Library held its second annual golf tournament at the Hazelton Golf Club in Rehoboth to raise funds for the library building project. On Thursday, Oct. 24, the check was presented at the Library Board of Trustees meeting.
In addition to the funds raised this year, the Friends of the Dighton Public Library organization hosted the first golf tournament in 2023 and donated $10,000 to purchase smartboards for the new library.
“The Friends are very passionate about the Library,” said Member of the Board of Library Trustees Rita Araujo. “Libraries are more than just books. They are community centers, and the Friends are very good about helping with fundraising and want to make sure that community atmosphere is a part of the new Library.”
Over the years, the organization has provided many opportunities and facilitated events to raise funds for the library building project. The Friends of the Dighton Public Library have hosted gift card fundraisers, participated in the Festival of Trees event, and hosted floral decorating programs with Araujo Farms.
“This golf tournament is the most successful fundraiser the Friends have ever done in the 15 years I have been a part of the organization,” said Friends of the Dighton Public Library Chairperson Zachary LaPointe.
“The Friends of the Dighton Public Library are the best friends a library could have,” said Dighton Public Library Board of Trustee Ann Meitzen. “They have spent countless hours holding fundraisers for the library and have donated generously. They are hardworking, clever and creative. They are our biggest supporters and partners in bringing the new library to fruition.”
The Friends of the Dighton Public Library is a volunteer, nonprofit group devoted to improving the library’s quality and supporting library operations.
“The Trustees, staff, and all of the library’s patrons are extremely grateful for not only the hard work of the Friends, but deeply appreciate their steadfast support and dedication,” Library Director Procknik said.
If you are interested in becoming a Friend, email dightonfriends@gmail.com. For more information and to read about the upcoming work they have planned in support of the Library, visit the Friends of the Dighton Public Library website.
History of the Dighton Public Library
The original Dighton Public Library, located at 395 Main St., was a Carnegie library built in 1910 with 3,000 square feet of operational space. While the building served the town for decades, it was closed to the public due to space limitations, building safety concerns, lack of adequate egress, and handicapped accessibility issues. The Dighton Public Library is currently operating at Dighton’s Town Hall Campus, with its circulation and reference services housed in a 12-foot by 60-foot modular trailer unit and its Youth Services Department located on the lower level of Town Hall. Both temporary locations continue to be challenging in offering modern-day library services for Dighton residents.
To learn more about the Dighton Public Library Project, click here.
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