Bacon Free Library

Our library provides its users with a charming blend of today's best-sellers, old fashioned friendliness, and modern technology in a historic neighborhood setting.

NATICK, MA   |  baconfreelibrary.org

Mission

The organization provides public library services to the community. In accordance with the benefactor's will and trust, the library provides popular materials and learning resources for the enjoyment and use of the public, with a special emphasis on supporting the education needs of children.

Ruling year info

2017

Library Director

Amy Sadkin

Main address

58 ELIOT ST

NATICK, MA 01760 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

04-6060151

NTEE code info

Libraries, Library Science (B70)

Arts, Cultural Organizations - Multipurpose (A20)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

The Bacon Free Library (BFL) is one of two libraries in the town of Natick, Massachusetts, and is housed in its original 1880 historic building. While the Town of Natick pays for staff salaries, aids with book & media purchases and some routine building expenses, it is the Board of Trustees – with the valuable assistance of the Friends of the Bacon Free Library and our donors – that has responsibility for assisting with funding the library operations - particularly programming, and with maintenance of the library and its building and grounds. With all of this in mind, the Trustees are focussed on building and grounds improvements, and with a tighter relationship to the Town's historic society, which is located in the building's lower level. The Director is focussed on library operations, and with program and collection improvements.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Library services

Bacon Free Library provides a broad range of high touch library services to the local communities.

Population(s) Served
Adults

Where we work

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

The mission of the Bacon Free Library is to provide popular materials and learning resources for the enjoyment and use of the public, with a special emphasis on supporting the educational needs of our children. In accordance with the wishes of the library’s benefactor Oliver Bacon, materials are selected to satisfy a broad range of interests and topics. A similar mission guides the programming and outreach goals of the Bacon Free Library: to provide information and experiences on a broad range of topics that will appeal to a variety of interests within the community. These goals drive the collection development, programming, outreach and reference services of the Bacon Free Library.

As a relatively small library, the Bacon Free Library staff tries to maximize its connections within the South Natick, larger Natick and Metrowest communities to provide unique programming and outreach opportunities. With these community connections both inside and outside of the library, the Bacon Free Library has seen an increase in circulation, even during the complexities of COVID responses.

Prior to COVID changes, the Bacon Free Library found that programming and outreach efforts support collection usage and vice versa. Programming and outreach are central to the library.

The Bacon Free Library is fortunate to have a passionate and involved staff, Friends group and Board of Trustees that are knowledgeable about the surrounding community. To this end, the staff is well equipped to meet the programming and collection goals of the library. Similarly, the Friends of the Bacon Free Library and the BFL Board of Trustees are adept the operating and capital needs associated with maintaining a community library in a historical building.

The trends over the past few years in program attendance and circulation have been favorable. The BFL seeks to drive those forward. With remote programming and curbside pickup added to in-person visits, usage has remained solid, and grown in some areas.

As mentioned, the recently concluded Phase One of the Capital Campaign and the spending on a large window replacement project, which followed a roof replacement project, shows forward momentum at the library. 2022 promises a major renewal and improvement of the library interior and its HVAC systems, and further programming developments.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • Who are the people you serve with your mission?

    Existing patrons and possible patrons

  • How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?

    Suggestion box/email, Discussions,

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,

  • What significant change resulted from feedback?

    Curbside pickup, small group children's time, reservations as needed to visit the library.

  • With whom is the organization sharing feedback?

    Our staff, Our board,

  • How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?

    Asking for feedback and acting on it improves the responsiveness of the organization.

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We act on the feedback we receive,

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback,

Financials

Bacon Free Library
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

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Bacon Free Library

Board of directors
as of 1/22/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

David Parish

c/o Bacon Free Library

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Not applicable
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Not applicable
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 1/22/2022,

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.

Leadership

No data

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data