Our Mission, History & Leadership

Our Mission

The Friends of the Groveland Public Library exist to supplement and enhance the services of the Groveland Public Library through volunteer engagement, community fundraising, educational programming, and advocacy for adequate public funding of library services. We believe that a strong public library is the cornerstone of an informed, equitable, and connected community, and that every resident regardless of age, income, language, or ability deserves free and welcoming access to books, technology, and lifelong learning opportunities.

As a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code (EIN: 04-3821947), the Friends operate independently from the municipal government while working in close partnership with the Library Director, the Board of Library Trustees, and the Groveland Board of Selectmen. All services we fund are free and open to the public, with no registration fees, library card requirements, or residency restrictions.

Our History

The Friends of the Groveland Public Library were incorporated in March 2003 by a group of twelve concerned residents who recognized that municipal budget constraints were limiting the library's ability to maintain its collection, extend operating hours, and offer the programming that a growing community demanded. Led by founding president Eleanor Whitfield, the original board organized the first Great Groveland Book Sale in April 2003, raising $2,400 from a modest collection of donated books in the Town Hall basement.

In the two decades since that inaugural sale, the Friends have grown from a small advocacy group into the primary supplementary funding source for library programming in Groveland. Milestone achievements include:

• 2005 — Launched the Summer Reading Marathon, initially serving 45 children; now enrolling over 340 annually
• 2008 — Established the Homework Help Center in partnership with Northern Essex Community College
• 2011 — Funded the complete renovation of the Children's Room, including new shelving, seating, and a dedicated story time area
• 2014 — Introduced the Senior Digital Literacy Workshop series in response to growing community demand for technology skills training
• 2017 — Surpassed $100,000 in cumulative funds raised for library services since founding
• 2019 — Launched the English Language Learner Conversation Circle to serve the growing multilingual population of the Merrimack Valley
• 2021 — Pivoted all programming to virtual delivery during the pandemic, maintaining 85% of pre-pandemic participation levels through innovative Zoom story hours, online book clubs, and phone-based technology mentoring
• 2023 — Celebrated our 20th anniversary with a community gala that raised $22,000 and honored founding members
• 2025 — Distributed our 200,000th book through the annual sale and community book drive programs combined

Board of Trustees

The Friends are governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees elected annually by the membership at the November Annual Meeting. Board members serve two-year terms and may serve up to three consecutive terms. The current board comprises community members with diverse professional backgrounds including education, law, finance, healthcare, and technology, united by a shared commitment to public library advocacy and community literacy.

Current Board Members (2026–2027)

• Margaret Ostrowski, President — Retired elementary school principal, Pentucket Regional School District; Ed.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst; 18 years in public education leadership. Margaret has served on the Friends board since 2016 and was elected President in 2022.
• David Callahan, Vice President — Attorney, Callahan & Pierce LLP, Haverhill; J.D., Suffolk University Law School; specializes in non-profit governance and municipal law. David provides pro bono legal counsel to the Friends and oversees our bylaws and compliance committee.
• Susan Traynor, Secretary — Communications Director, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission; M.A. in Public Administration, Northeastern University. Susan manages our quarterly newsletter, press relations, and community outreach strategy.
• James Harrington, Treasurer — Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, UMass Lowell; Ph.D., Yale School of the Environment. James oversees our financial reporting, annual audit coordination, and IRS 990 filing.
• Patricia Emond, Programs Chair — Children's librarian (retired), Haverhill Public Library; M.L.I.S., Simmons University. Patricia coordinates all programming including story hours, book clubs, and the author visit series.
• Michael Torres, Membership Chair — Branch manager, Enterprise Bank, Groveland; B.S. in Business Administration, Merrimack College. Michael manages our membership database, renewal campaigns, and corporate partnership development.
• Karen Lindqvist, Events Chair — Event planner and small business owner, Lindqvist Occasions; 22 years of professional event management experience. Karen organizes the annual book sale, gala, and community celebration events.

Financial Transparency

The Friends are committed to the highest standards of financial accountability and transparency. Our most recent IRS Form 990 (fiscal year ending December 31, 2025) and our independently reviewed annual financial statement are available for public inspection at the library reference desk during regular business hours and by request via email to [email protected].

In fiscal year 2025, the Friends raised $68,400 in total revenue from membership dues, the annual book sale, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and grant funding. Of this amount, $64,300 (94%) was directed to program services and library support, with only $4,100 (6%) allocated to administrative expenses. The organization maintains a cash reserve equal to approximately four months of operating expenses, in accordance with our financial management policy adopted in 2018.

The Friends have received the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency for five consecutive years, reflecting our commitment to publicly sharing governance documents, financial statements, and impact metrics with our donors and the broader community.