About FPLF and the Framingham Public Library
With the support of generous donors, the FPLF has successfully completed several projects
Main Library
The Main Library serves as a center for learning, enrichment, entertainment, research, and civic engagement. It houses an extensive collection, along with five private study rooms and five public meeting spaces.
Foundation support has helped upgrade the equipment in the Costin Room. It has also supported the Library’s creation of a dedicated Teen Room, a space just for teens with computers, games, comfortable furniture, and quiet areas for study and schoolwork. The Foundation also helped fund the Library’s Technology & Learning Center, a state-of-the-art classroom, and the SparkLab, a fully equipped makerspace.
McAuliffe Library
Current Project – Framingham Room
Did you know that the Framingham’s Main Library owns a letter from the Great Houdini, plus over 1,900 microfilm reels with copies of the MetroWest Daily News and its predecessors, some dating back to 1871? The newspapers are part of a remarkable collection that also includes rare artifacts, historical town reports, yearbooks, old photos, antique maps, oral histories, and more. These items have helped preserve Framingham’s long history.
Right now, these materials are stored in the library’s basement. They are hard to access and at risk of damage or loss. For years, historians and community members have asked for a safe, welcoming and accessible space to preserve and share our history.
The Framingham Public Library is answering that call by creating the Framingham Reading Room, a secure space where you can connect with our community’s 325 year-old story. The Foundation is proud to support this project, Your gift will help build a lasting legacy. Together, we can protect Framingham’s past so future generations can understand and celebrate where we came from.
McAuliffe Teen Room photo and slider images © Damianos Photography
Makerspace
In 2019 the Foundation raised funds to transform the children’s craft room in the Main Library into a fully-equipped Makerspace for patrons of all ages. Makerspaces are collaborative work spaces for making, learning, exploring and creating using a variety of technology, tools, and materials. These spaces help people acquire STEAM skills (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math). Makerspaces encourage hands-on learning and critical thinking, and they even help to boost self-confidence. The City of Framingham funded the physical changes to the Makerspace room.
Bookmobile
News & Events
Preserving Framingham History at the Framingham Public Library
The Framingham Public Library possesses a collection of rare historical items. But most of the materials are in the damp basement. Here are some items from the collection.Wallace Nutting, American photographer and artist, had a successful Framingham business selling...
Third Space is New Fundraising Goal for 2024
The Framingham Public Library Foundation’s 2024 fundraising goal is for a Third Space project for the Main Library. A Third Space is defined as a place outside of home and work where people gather, build relationships, and exchange ideas. Framingham Public Library’s...
Literacy Unlimited Needs Your Help to Build a New Space
Literacy Unlimited is a vibrant, active community of volunteers who work with adult ESOL students at the main library to improve their English proficiency through conversation classes, one-to-one tutoring, and citizenship classes. Students speak at least 24 languages...