About the Friends of the Rogers Free Library
The Friends of Rogers Free Library is a 501(c)(3) foundation formed to fund programs and activities of Rogers Free Library beyond its Town budget. The Friends is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of Bristol residents.
Supported by generous gifts from donors, the Friends underwrite popular ongoing Library offerings including its Summer Reading Program and Mrs. Katz and Her Hats storytime. It also funds special programs and activities such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Bristol BookFest, Mount Home High School’s e-sports team, and Kanopy, as well as events promoting literacy and community building in the greater Bristol community.
In the past, the Friends provided funding for additional library conference room spaces and a new Teen Space specially designed by and for young library patrons. In 2022, the Friends provided financial support to update the technology in the library’s Herreshoff Community Room.
Community Grant Program
The Friends seek applications for its financial support of community programs that explicitly demonstrate a connection to the mission of Rogers Free Library and/or provide a significant benefit to either the library’s patrons or the Bristol community. Learn more on our Community Grant Program page or download the grant application here.
Your Donation Supports Library Programming
The Friends are very appreciative of the numerous generous donors who contribute to funding special programming at the Library and in the community. If you’d like to help:
Make a tax deductible donation
Consider a memorial gift to honor a loved one who valued Rogers Free Library. Email us at friends@rogersfreelibrary.org for more information.
Send a check to:
Friends of the Rogers Free Library
PO Box 538
Bristol, RI 02809
Speak to your estate planning professional about including the Friends of the Rogers Free Library in your will.
Directors of the Friends:
The Friends of the Library directorship consists of 7 members and 1 liaison from the Trustees of the Library
Peter Maloney
President
Directorship expires in 2023
Steven Aveson
Directorship expires 2025
Amy Guertin
Directorship expires 2025
David M. Gwizdowski
Directorship expires 2026
Amy C. Vitale
Directorship expires in 2026
Catherine Murray
Directorship expires in 2027
Nichole Lewis
Directorship expires in 2028
Ruth Souto
Liaison from the Trustees of the Library
Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the Friends is held in June of every year. The date will be announced below as this meeting is open to all.
Current as of September 2022.