FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/07/2025
For further information, contact:
Susan Scully Petroni
City of Framingham Public Information Officer
spetroni@framinghamma.gov
508-782-8629
Framingham Public Library Unveils New Donor Board Honoring Community Support
FRAMINGHAM - The Framingham Public Library unveiled its new donor board on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Main Library, marking a special moment during the Library’s 170th anniversary year.
The electric-blue installation, prominently located across from the first-floor circulation desk, recognizes the many individuals, families, institutions, and organizations whose generosity has strengthened library services and programming.
“This donor board represents the incredible generosity of those who believe in the power of public libraries,” said Library Director Dawn Dellasanta. “Our supporters help us provide vital resources, innovative programs, and welcoming spaces for all. We are honored to recognize their commitment in such a meaningful and visible way.”
The celebration also highlighted a significant contribution approved at the November 2024 meeting of the Framingham Library Board of Trustees.
Former Library Director James C. (Chuck) Flaherty presented the Board with a $50,000 monetary gift to establish the Mary Craig Fund, honoring retired Librarian Mary Craig.
The Board unanimously voted to accept the donation, following a motion by Trustee Jan Harrington and a second by Trustee Isabella Petroni.
Both Flaherty and Craig attended the donor board unveiling and joined Director Dellasanta for the reveal.
During the ceremony, Flaherty reflected on Craig’s decades of service and the deep respect forged through their years working together. “She quickly earned my respect and over the years, my love and appreciation. She's quite a remarkable woman,” he said.
He fondly recounted encouraging Craig to return to part-time work following her retirement, an arrangement Craig jokingly noted meant she “never came off the payroll,” continuing to serve for another 15 years.
“The truth is that when I went to Brookline in 1983, I called her again and asked her if she'd come work at Brookline, but she said no that time,” said Flaherty
Institutional Benefactors
• City of Framingham & Taxpayers
• Framingham Public Library Foundation
• Friends of the Framingham Library
• Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC)
Legacy Benefactors
• Dr. & Mrs. Burke Fund
• Helen Lanigan Fund
• Henry R. & Mary D. Scott Fund
• Mary Craig Fund
• Moses Edgell Fund
• The Rousseau Family
Community Benefactors
• Anonymous
• Hertz & Solomon Families
• Jamie & Anthony Miceli
• Joe & Maria Barry
• June & Steven Kruger
• Philip & Valerie Ottaviani
• Timothy Hanna, Sr.
• Vijay Raghavan
Corporate Benefactors
• Digital Credit Union
• Middlesex Savings Bank
• MutualOne
• North Center Productions, LLC
• Petrini & Associates
• Sanofi (formerly Genzyme)
The Framingham Public Library extends its gratitude to all donors whose continued support helps the Library fulfill its mission of empowering, educating, and inspiring the community.
Individuals who wish to support the Library may donate to the Framingham Public Library Foundation or the Friends of the Framingham Public Library, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. The Friends may be contacted at friends@framinghamlibrary.org.
For donations to the Library Foundation, please contact Foundation President Ruth Winett at info@framlibfoundation.org, or reach out to Library Director Dawn Dellasanta at ddellasanta@minlib.net
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