Friends of the Library

The Friends of the Burnham Library is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers dedicated to supporting the Burnham Memorial Library in its mission to provide information and support life-long learning and enrichment within the community. Through various fund-raising efforts we enhance the library’s ability to provide programming, youth services, books, audio-books and learning programs that would not otherwise be within the library’s budget. We welcome community members who are interested in joining us in our efforts to ensure that the Burnham Library, a mainstay of the community since 1942, continues to be a vibrant resource where the people of Colchester come to gather, learn, and enjoy.

For more information, see the Friends Brochure or contact us to find out when our next meeting or project is happening.

2022 Friends of the Burnham Memorial Library Annual Appeal

The Friends of the Burnham Library Annual Appeal is now under way, and we are seeking your support!

Why support the Friends? Your donations help to make library programs available to our children and teens that would not be possible without your support.

Popular events this past year:

Over 200 children and teens signed up to be Summer Readers.
From June-August, we welcomed 505 people at 28 Storytime sessions.
We hosted 15 paid performers for teens, children and families with an attendance of over 350
At our 9 weekly Splashtivities, we got to learn and play with almost 200 children.
After no teen programming in almost a year, we were able to host 6 successful craft programing and 2 paid workshops for teens.

Your financial support of the Friends of the Burnham Library helps to make all of this possible. With your help we can continue to:

Provide funding for children’s, teen, and adult programming
Add to the catalog of e-books and audio books
Bring in guest programs and performers for all ages and interests.
Award an annual scholarship to a student volunteer

Donations can be made via PayPal by clicking the image above or by mailing it to our P.O. Box.

Thank you for supporting your local library!

Click here to download the full 2022 Appeal Letter.

Join the Friends Planning Committee

We are a small group that plans and executes Friends activities with positions including President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Members-at-Large
Annual events include the Summer Used Book Sale and Fall Annual Appeal
We welcome community members who want to contribute their time and talents
Teen representatives are always welcome (great community service!)