CONCORD FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY CORPORATION

THE CONCORD FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY'S KEY PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR WERE THE FOLLOWING - 1. ACQUISITION OF BICKNELL COLLECTION - IN SEPTEMBER 2024 THE TRUSTEES APPROVED THE ACQUISITION OF AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF LOUIS MAY ALCOTT MANUSCRIPTS, DRAWINGS AND LETTERS FROM KENT BICKNELL, A COLLECTOR SPECIALIZING IN LOUISA MAY ALCOTT. THE PURCHASE PRICE WAS $175,000, PAID IN THREE INSTALLMENTS OVER TIME, AND WAS FULLY SUPPORTED BY DONATIONS FROM CONCORD FAMILIES. THE ACQUISITION REPRESENTS A MAJOR ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY'S EXISTING COLLECTION OF LOUISA MAY ALCOTT ITEMS. THE COLLECTION WILL BE HOUSED IN THE SPECIAL COLLECTIONS VAULT, AND A PUBLIC EXHIBITION OF THE COLLECTION IS SCHEDULED TO OCCUR BEGINNING IN MARCH 2026. 2. LAUNCH OF MONROE SOCIETY - IN SEPTEMBER 2024 THE TRUSTEES LAUNCHED THE WILLIAM MONROE SOCIETY TO DEVELOP AND CULTIVATE A LONG-TERM SOURCE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT SPECIFICALLY FOR THE CORPORATION'S GOALS OF GROWING AND PRESERVING THE SPECIAL COLLECTION. THE LAUNCH RECEIVED A STRONG RESPONSE AND HELPED GENERATE FUNDING FOR SEVERAL ACQUISITIONS MADE IN 2025 AND TO DATE IN 2026. 3. CHILDREN'S GARDEN UPGRADES - IN MAY 2025 THE TRUSTEES APPROVED A SERIES OF MAJOR UPGRADES TO THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN AT THE MAIN LIBRARY, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF A CHILD-SIZE 'HOBBIT HOUSE', A WOODEN BRIDGE AND STONE WALKWAY TO ACCESS THE HOUSE, PLAY FURNITURE AND OTHER ACCOUTREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL SHRUBBERY AROUND THE GARDEN PERIMETER. WORK WILL CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN SPRING 2026 AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $75,000. 4. GOVERNANCE INITIATIVES - A NEW GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE WAS SEATED TO SYSTEMATICALLY ADDRESS VARIOUS GOVERNANCE RELATED NEEDS AND ENHANCEMENT OBJECTIVES. IN ADDITION, THE TRUSTEES ADDED SEVERAL OUTSIDE MEMBERS TO OUR STANDING COMMITTEES DURING 2025. THE NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL NOT ONLY BRING NEW ENERGY AND EXPERTISE BUT WILL ALSO PROVIDE EXPOSURE AND EXPERIENCE TO THE LIBRARY AS POTENTIAL FUTURE TRUSTEES.