TOLLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC

The purpose of this non-profit corporation shall be the receipt and utilization of donations for the benefit of the Tolland Public Library as approved by the Tolland Town Council; to develop and promote various public programs related to literature, literacy and other endeavors designed to enhance the Tolland Public Library's role as a public literary resource.

The Tolland Public Library Foundation Board of Directors makes grants to the library in collaboration with the Library Director and the priorities of the library.

We have an endowment that provides the majority of the granted funds. Prior to the endowment bequest, the organization raised funds to make grants.

The Foundation has provided funding for Hoopla, a digital streaming service for e-books and other digital material available free to all patrons; a Zoom license to accommodate virtual meetings and programs; LEGO sets, robots and coding kits to support STEM programs hosted by the young adult/children's librarian; as well as a puzzle competition and ongoing Family Game Nights. Grants were also provided to create a Maker Space in the renovated library that includes a 3-D printer (including laptop and software), hand held 3-D pens, light-box for tracing, and equipment to transfer media. We have also funded a license from the Motion Picture Licensing Corp to show movies at the library. The Foundation continues to support digital subscriptions to databases such as JobNow, Ancestry.com, A to Z Database, and Event Keeper. We also continue to support the popular EDK authors series, which began in 2010.

Next, we will initiate the Tolland Oral History Project, which will explore the lives of residents of our town and bring their stories to life through digital media and public performance!