Welcome!!

ABOUT the FRIENDS

The Friends of the East Longmeadow Public Library, Inc. is an all volunteer group of individuals dedicated to fostering a love of libraries, books, and reading in the East Longmeadow Community. It is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization and membership dues, monetary donations, donated used books, etc. are tax deductible.

Although the Town of East Longmeadow and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts provide money to purchase most reading materials and technology, many of the programs you have come to love and expect are paid for by the Friends and local contributions. When you join our organization or make a one time gift, you make vital programs possible.

Thank you for your consideration.

To make a Donation, click here:

( Watch for your PayPal Receipt in your email inbox)

Thank you!

To join or renew memberships, click here:

Membership

We accept Debit & Credit Cards

SPRING GIFT BASKETS FUNDRAISER

The time is now for those of you who want to participate in the Friends' "2025 Spring Gift Baskets Extravaganza" fundraiser! It will end on Saturday, May17th and the drawing will take place on Monday, May 19th. Individuals do not have to be present at that time of the drawing. The winners will be contacted.

As a reminder to those fortunate enough to win a basket, please pick yours up within the week of the drawing because there is limited space at the library. If the basket remains after a week and we do not receive a response, the 2nd place winner will be called.

The table is set up across from the Circulation Desk and you can obtain your tickets from the staff. The cost for 1 ticket is $1; 6 tickets is $5. Good luck!

NO FEDERAL FUNDS

Approximately 235 years ago, Benjamin Franklin must have been so proud to be the leader of a great institution referred to as a "free public library." However, in the 21st Century, the leaders of the United States have irresponsibly decided to dismantle many government agencies including the Institution of Museum and Library Service (IMLS), the only federal agency that ensures every community has access to library funding. Nearly all the staff at the IMLS was placed on administrative leave on Monday, March 31st. Museums and libraries will no longer be able to contact IMLS staff for updates about the funding they rely upon. As a result, all the processing of the 2025 grant applications has ended in the absence of staff. You might ask yourself: So, what does that mean?

The IMLS plays a crucial role in daily life, helping students, families, veterans, small businesses, job seekers, individuals with disabilities, and senior citizens. It is the primary source of federal support for U.S. libraries and museums. The agency supports them through grants, research and policy development. Among its services, IMLS issues grants to each state and U.S. territory based on population.

The fact is that the IMLS receives only 0.003% of the federal budget. The funding helps every single library so that they are able to stretch their budgets to provide free, impartial resources that serve everyone. This diabolical action will affect our neighborhood public library, our private and public school libraries as well as those libraries on military bases, etc. There is the possibility of placing some library services at risk of being shut down in the communities who need it most.

This irresponsible action is a devastating blow to essential community services.

Please phone, write, or email our representatives at the federal and state levels and let them know that this action is unacceptable.

For everyone living in Massachusetts, our 2 Congressional senators are:

Elizabeth Warren

www.warren.senate.gov

1550 Main Street Suite 406

Springfield, MA 01103

413-788-2690

Senator Edward Markey

www.markey.senate.gov

1550 Main Street 4th floor

Springfield, MA 01103