About KPLF

The Kingston Public Library Foundation is a private, non-profit fundraising organization (501(c)-3) comprised entirely of volunteers from the community.

What the Foundation Does

The mission of the Kingston Public Library Foundation is to support the Kingston Public Library by funding resources, technology, special programming and select long-term improvements. Our support complements, but does not replace, the Town's responsibility for funding the Library's operation annually. KPLF's fundraising efforts seek to enhance the Library's offerings, and our advocacy encourages continued and increased support of the Kingston Public Library as a valuable community resource.

What the Foundation has Done

• Bridged the gap in local funding to enable KPL to maintain state certification
• Provided funds for books and other materials and resources
• Raised awareness about the need for public library funding
• Hosted concerts and other fun public events

History

In January 2010, a group of concerned citizens came together to form the Kingston Public Library Foundation (KPLF). In KPLF’s first year, the members of the Board of Directors made the community aware of the library’s financial predicament. In 2008, the Town of Kingston was forced to cut the library’s budget by ten percent. The library only takes two percent of the towns’ tax dollars and these cuts put the library in danger of losing its’ Massachusetts State Accreditation.

Our projects began with starting a ‘Banks for Books’ community project that involved seniors, students, and families. Milk jugs were decorated as piggy banks and spare change was collected and donated to the Library Foundation. Next, KPLF sent a letter of request for donations to every household in the town and the Foundation hello a ‘Kick-Off’ Concert as a fund-raising event. In the first year, the Kingston Public Library Foundation raised over fifty thousand dollars and purchased the required books and computer resources that the library needed to keep their state accreditation.

Learn more about our Team and the role our Volunteers play.