A dedicated group of volunteers is essential to the vitality and success of a small-town library. Their generous donation of time, skills and effort allows patrons to receive a level of service that would otherwise be impossible with the library’s limited resources. The town has always been very generous to the library, and in recent years the Friends organization has delivered a consistently impressive amount of support. But it is hard to imagine where the library would be without volunteers staffing the circulation desk, shelving materials, performing maintenance, leading workshops, pitching in on special events or providing guidance on financial investments – to name a few of the responsibilities they take on.

But it’s not just a matter of securing their services. Were the library able to provide itself with the sort of funding that made volunteers unnecessary, it would be poorer for it. Our volunteers bring not just their skills and labor, but a spirit that is no less important to the character of our library than our cherished building or even our collection. It is for that contribution that the library trustees are most grateful.

We try to make sure we express our appreciation to the people who give their time and make our library such a special place. This year, we decided it’s time for the community at large to be reminded of how well served they are. So, on behalf of the many who use the library and benefit from their generosity, we thank all of our volunteers.

The Trustees of the Morrill Memorial and Harris Library