President's Message

Past Presidents

President’s Message
John Koulopoulos

August 2009

In Scituate, as in all across America, our library helps define our community. With a diverse selection of workshops and programs available to residents of all ages, more than 85,000 books and 185 periodical subscriptions, an array of online reference databases, an ever expanding DVD collection, 9 internet connected computer workstations, meeting rooms for town groups and organizations, and so much more; we are fortunate to have the resources our Scituate Town Library offers.

Making all of this possible is a dedicated community effort. This includes operating on approximately 1.7% of the town’s annual budget in addition to the generous donations received from the Friends of the Scituate Town Library, many of our town’s residents, local businesses and various organizations as well as the devotion of a committed staff of library employees and volunteers.

The Scituate Library Foundation is very proud to be a part of this community effort. Through its fund raising activities and donations received, the Foundation has had the opportunity to sponsor the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra's Kid’s Concerts and Meet the Musician programs, art exhibits and the annual Gala Dinner & Silent Auction, just to name a few.

Your continued support of the Foundation is greatly appreciated and essential to allow us to continue to offer a wide range of cultural enrichment programs within our Scituate community.

Past Presidents
Skip DeBrusk, 2002-2008

March 2008

In every corner of America and all over the world, intelligence and energy are evenly distributed, but opportunity, investment, and effective organizations aren’t. As a result, billions of people are denied the chance to live their lives to the fullest, and millions die needlessly every year.

The modern world, for all it’s blessings, is unequal, unstable, and unsustainable. And so the great mission of the early twenty-first century is to move our neighborhoods, our nation, and the world toward integrated communities of shared opportunities, shared responsibilities, and a shared sense of genuine belonging, based on the essence of every successful community: that our common humanity is more important than our interesting differences.

These two paragraphs are from the first chapter of Bill Clinton’s book Giving. Politics aside (if that’s ever possible) there are many ideas to be mined from our former President.

One of the most effective and efficient organizations in Scituate is the library. Typically our library operates on 1.8% of the Town’s annual budget and compared to neighboring libraries it’s open more hours. Opportunity is evenly distributed, regardless of income, race, sex, age, or any other categorization. One of the signs on our Benefactor’s Board reads "Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest.” – Lady Bird Johnson. Our neighborhoods and organizations meet at the library to discuss, debate, and implement some of the town’s most important business.

Recently the Scituate Library Foundation sponsored the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra program, Kidsconcert, and four additional programs called Dynamic Duos. Ninety residents crowded the room for the Kidsconcert. The Foundation also sponsored Capt. Tom King, our local shark expert; 85 attended his program. Sponsored by the Friends, MamaSteph draws about 130 devoted fans every week, with some weeks as high as 150! We estimate 6,500 for the year!

Symphonies, stories, sharks, train rides, art exhibits, galas and much, much, more! The library allows humanity to express our interesting differences and you can help continue this tradition of excellence. Because you believe in our shared opportunities and responsibilities, please consider giving to the Scituate Library Foundation. I assure you it will be put to intelligent, energetic use.

Thank you,

Skip DeBrusk
President SLF

P.S. We still have a few tickets available to experience the exciting Hank Phillippi Ryan Friday, May 23, at our 2008 Spring Gala Dinner Dance and Silent Auction at the Barker Tavern. You can make a donation or purchase gala tickets online, or call Art Dunphy at (781) 544-0070.

September 2007

“I rode the first train from Greenbush to Boston!” and I hope you will be able to make this statement also because the Scituate Library Foundation is making it easy to do. So come join us in this once in a lifetime opportunity, to become part of Scituate’s history as the train brings Boston and Scituate closer together. It is an opportunity for you, your family, friends and neighbors to be the first passengers on the newly restored Greenbush Line. For times, dates, details and to purchase tickets please click here.

“The train is coming, The train is coming !” The Scituate Library Foundation has made arrangements with the MBTA for approximately 900 seats for this extraordinary event. All profits from the First Ride GREENBUSH will be used by the Foundation to provide funding beyond the usual and customary funding from the town. We have made every effort to make the trip affordable for all family members. Please join in the fun!

How many of your children have ever been on a train? Can you remember your first train ride? Mine took place over 65 years ago and I remember with clarity when my grandfather took me from Plymouth to Boston. How exciting that was!

“All Aboard for the Greenbush Train !” Confucius never spoke those words, but he did say “They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom,” and indeed Scituate is about to change permanently and irreversibly. Be a part of this change and embrace the transformation. The Library is also in the process of change and your contribution, via First Ride GREEMNBUSH to Boston, helps to keep our town Library one of the finest in the area. Bring your camera and loved ones for a memorable day.

We completely understand the hectic schedules placed on families today, so if your schedule unfortunately conflicts with the First Ride GREENBUSH date, please consider a donation to the Scituate Library Foundation by clicking on the How To Donate tab, in the main navigation above.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely, Skip DeBrusk
President, SLF

December 2006

The Scituate Town Library is home to thousands of books covering dozens of subjects, so it may seem strange to single out one small
book of 138 pages. While I’ve moaned and groaned thru several courses in philosophy, I frequently refer back to the principles outlined in The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Be Impeccable With Your Word: Speak with Integrity.
Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Don’t Take Anything Personally: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

Don’t Make Assumptions: Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

Always Do Your Best: Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self- judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

Because you care about life-long learning, and sharing knowledge, please consider a donation to the Scituate Library Foundation by clicking on the How To Donate tab, in the main navigation above.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely, Skip DeBrusk
President, SLF

December 2005

In Stephen Covey's book First Things First, he urges us to Live, Love, Learn and Leave a Legacy. Dr. Covey believes "Our struggle to put first things first can be characterized by the contrast between two powerful tools that direct us: the clock and the compass. The clock represents our commitments, appointments, schedules, goals, activities -- what we do with, and how we manage our time. The compass represents our vision, values, principles, mission, conscience, direction -- what we feel is important and how we lead our lives."

Libraries offer us opportunities to Live our lives fully through a lifetime of learning. Whether it is through written words, such as books and magazines; or spoken words via CDs; DVDs; videos; lectures; or meetings, libraries serve all our citizens, young and old.

Different people Love different things in a library. Some people love the ability to select an armful of big, thick books and spend the next two weeks exploring their latest choices. There are those who look forward to meeting friends, debating town events, or meeting authors. Still others seek a quiet place absent of phones, faxes, and household demands to study, meditate or appreciate the latest art exhibit. Nearly everyone loves to see the youngster with a stack of new books, proudly presenting their new library card. Libraries have always been dedicated to helping people Learn.

Whether the library is in Thebes, Ephesus, or Scituate, their reason for being is to promote learning and to share knowledge. Seymour Papert said, "You can't teach people everything they need to know. The best you can do is position them where they can find what they need to know,
when they need to know it."

Today libraries allow us to share knowledge on an international basis via the internet, to learn on
a global basis. The Scituate Library allows us many opportunities to Leave A Legacy, or remember loved ones. The Benefactor's Board is a permanent display at the main entrance of the library. Naming Opportunities cover a wide range of options from entire rooms to individual chairs. More information is available from the Library Director.

I wish you a life guided by a steady compass, a life filled with love, learning, and rich legacies.

Sincerely,

Skip DeBrusk
President, SLF

March 2005

Welcome to the premier of the Scituate Library Foundation (SLF) Website. Our mission is to support the Scituate Library with funding for education, public programs, materials and special projects that are beyond the financial support of the state or town. We do this through a series of charitable events and activities you will find described on our site.

Our library, one of the finest in the area, receives approximately 1.8% of the town’s budget, yet serves 98% of the population. Last year, an average of 2,000 patrons utilized the library every week.

Circulation increased to nearly one quarter of a million materials distributed in 2004. The library, through the work of many dedicated volunteers, also provided 89 programs specifically for your children.

The trustees of the Scituate town library have long felt that an endowment would very much increase the library’s services to all the residents.

What was needed was a way to generate increased funds, invest them, and in time, use the interest earned by such an endowment to provide the variety of special programs and resources for the library.

So, in 2002, the library trustees created the SLF to do just that: build and manage an endowment for the future. That work, such as the Spring Gala Dinner Dance, is well underway through the guidance of the SLF Board of Directors. You, as a citizen of Scituate, are a crucial part of the endowment effort when you support the SLF programs.

Our Message of Purpose and Need

Throughout this site, you will find a partial listing of the sponsorships and other fundraisers available to support the work of the Foundation. There are many ways you can support SLF: gifts of money, stocks, bonds, property, and other bequests. Consider requesting monetary donations be sent to SLF on the passing of a loved one or in memory of a loved one.

All of these programs and much, much more are being planned for the Scituate Library, and it all begins with your generous support. All contributions are tax deductible and 100% of your contribution is applied exclusively to the long-term needs of the Scituate Library. There are no administration fees. Visit the How to Donate page to give your gift or to request further information from the SLF.

Please open your heart, mind, and imagination to discover how you can effectively make the future of the Scituate Library your own future.

Thank you for your support,
Skip DeBrusk,
President, SLF