The Great Barrington Library Fund (GBLF) was founded in 2024 to help raise funds for our libraries, spurred by the critical need to renovate Ramsdell Library in the hamlet of Housatonic within the town of Great Barrington. The Ramsdell was a gift of Theodore Ramsdell, who was president of Monument Mills. It was built in 1906 and designed by Boston architects McLean & Wright and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
The Fund was founded as a MA non-profit corporation. Sharon Gregory serves as president and executive director for this small, all-volunteer board. GBLF will apply to foundations and government grants as well as appeal to individuals for support funds. In this way, we will bolster building plans for our libraries, which are critical to community programs and educational resources that our libraries provide.
The Town owns the Library building and its assets. The Select Board funds the Library’s operating budget and capital investment plans. The Town Manager oversees Library personnel and negotiates the Library’s union labor contract. The Library is eligible for state and local grants, such as the CPA grants passed at the annual Town meeting. (CPA grants for historic projects do not increase Town taxes as they are drawn from a different source.)
This group of six elected residents, serving three-year, renewable terms, works closely with the Library Director to develop policies and procedures, oversee operating and trust funds, and advocate for the support necessary to provide excellent Library services.
GBLF was formed in 2024 to raise funds for services and capital improvements to Great Barrington’s libraries. Its current effort is on behalf of the renovation of Housatonic’s 1908 Ramsdell Library, listed on the National Register of Historic Places but not renovated in nearly a century. An initial State Library grant will cover up to 60% of the renovation costs. GBLF’s focus is to apply for foundation grants and solicit donations as a way of reducing the Town’s fiscal obligation to the renovation. Donations are tax-deductible.
The Friends, a 501c3 non-profit, supports lifelong learning, literacy and alternative learning activities by raising funds to supplement the annual budget for program-ming and collections. Their mission is to enhance the library’s reputation as a com-munity gathering place and to bring library services to more people in our community through outreach. Donations are tax deductible.
