Impact of Your Support
One hundred percent of your donations go directly toward library programming. In fiscal year 2024–2025, the Friends sponsored more than 90 library activities across the following categories:
| Category | Adult | Youth | Movie | Music | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Events | 26 | 45 | 4 | 16 | 91 |
| Attendees | 1,450 | 850 | 200 | 300 | 2,800 |
Examples of recent events and programs sponsored by the Friends include:
- Paula Clare and Friends: An Afternoon of American Jazz Standards and Brazilian Bossa Nova
- Atwater-Donnelly traditional American folk music and dance performance
- Yanni Pandelidis and Friends Greek music performance
- Music at the Blissful performance by Evan Haller
- Black Flags, Blue Waters talk by author Eric Jay Dolan
- Common and Uncommon Backyard Birds of Rhode Island with Geoff Dennis
- Conservation Through Birding Tourism by Charles Clarkson, Audubon Society of Rhode Island
- Apples, Art, and Spirit by author, artist, and orchardist Linda Hoffman
- Presentation on the Tomaquag Museum by Silvermoon Mars LaRose
- World premiere of the documentary Beyond Bucha: Finding the Spirit in Ukraine
- Poetry reading and dialogue with Rhode Island Poet Laureate Colin Channer
- Mushroom hunting program with "Ryan the Mushroom Hunter"
- Atlantic Shark Institute conservation presentation by Jon Dodd
- Spanish bilingual story times for preschool children throughout the year
- Youth chess classes offered year-round
- Summer Reading Program and Winter Reading Challenge activities for all ages
- Book clubs, movies, and craft programs throughout the year
- Vacation and holiday programs for preschool, elementary, and middle school students
- Three annual electronic waste collection events (most items free)
- New by popular demand: a free paper-shredding event
The Friends continue to seek community input on library programming interests. A recent survey showed the most requested topics include:
- Music performances
- Movies and film series
- Author readings and talks
- Historical presentations
- Marine biology, oceanography, and fisheries
- Sustainable gardening
- Environmental protection
- Wildlife protection and observation
- Coastal resiliency
- Creative writing and literature
- Nutrition, health, and wellness
The Friends will use this feedback to plan and schedule future library activities.
