The Friends of the Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting ongoing library events such as summer and winter reading programs, special speaker and author visits, health and wellness programs, music concerts, art workshops, early literacy programs, take-and-make activities, online gaming, trivia and Comic-Con events, and escape room-type activities.
The Friends have sponsored StoryWalk® in partnership with the Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation Department. They also sponsor the summer reading kickoff carnival, the holiday open house, the annual foreign film festival, and assist with funding the English Conversation Circle and Memory Café programs.
The Friends organization also contributes to Light the Common, an initiative of the Shrewsbury Town Center Association, and they award a $1,500 scholarship to a deserving high school student every year.
All of this is made possible through various fundraisers, such as the Friends bookstore (click here for information on donating items), and membership fees. Contributions are very valuable and enrich the programs and services offered at the library. To find more information about the Friends of the Library, including membership and donations, please visit their website or call 508-841-8609, x3. Informational flyers are also available at the library's Circulation desk.
Bookstore
The Friends organization will no longer host its annual book sale. Instead, the Friends now operate a bookstore year-round on the lower level of the library. The current hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., Friday from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00–4:00 p.m. (Oct. through May). Money raised from this event goes to the Shrewsbury Public Library, and enables the library to continue to host special events. Visit our Donations page for information on donating items for the sale.
Summer Reading Program
The Friends fund the prizes for summer reading programs for teens and kids, which promote the benefits of reading and writing to the general population.
Commons Concerts
The Friends also help fund concerts held on the Shrewsbury Common.
Summer Kick-off Carnival
The Friends organization hosted and funded a carnival that took place in the library. The carnival included various games and entertaining and educational activities for all ages to enjoy.
Friends of the Library Scholarship Award
The Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library announces the sponsorship of an annual scholarship in the amount of $1,500 to a student residing in Shrewsbury, graduating from a local public or private high school this school year, and continuing his/her education the following academic year as a full-time student working toward a bachelor's or associate's degree. The Friends' intent for this award is to assist in the purchase of the student's textbooks and other course materials.
Applications for the 2024 Friends of the Library Scholarship are due Friday, April 5, 2024. Application form and instruction are available here.
Sidney Adams, a Shrewsbury resident and a 2023 graduate of Shrewsbury High School has been awarded the 2023 Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library Scholarship. Sidney is the daughter of Jena and Douglas Adams of Arch Street and she plans to continue her education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Commonwealth Honors College with a focus on Pre-Legal Studies, although she also has an interest in working with children with disabilities. Congratulations to Sidney and all members of the class of 2023!