On June 24, 1994,the Office of the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received the necessary paperwork to incorporate the Friends of the Bushnell-Sage Memorial Library. The group applied by submitting their Articles of Organization and a $35.00 filing fee to the Secretary’s Office and awaited its decision. One month later, on July 26, 1994 Michael J. Connolly, then Secretary of State, approved the Articles and the Friends of the Bushnell-Sage Memorial Library, Inc. became a non-profit organization with its Articles of Organization and set of By-Laws.

That formality allowed the Friends to receive donations of money, items, and services for the benefit of the Library. It also provided a governance structure, mission, and means to raise funds through events and community education activities. All of it is reflected in its tag line: Enhancing the Library Experience.

That official founding of the Friends took quite a while to develop. Sheffield had a public library as early as 1800. But it was not until1930 that there was a free public library in town in the modern sense. For a more detailed history of its development there is a booklet entitled A History of the Bushnell-Sage Library by Martha Greene, published by the Friends of the Bushnell-Sage Library, available at the Circulation Desk wall. In that publication there is mention of the incipient Friends group.

Once the Bushnell-Sage Memorial Library officially became a public library in 1929, funded by tax-payer dollars and not by subscription, it was necessary to channel money through a non-profit organization to avoid any possible conflicts of interest between individuals and the town/governance entities. When the physical plant needed to be redesigned to comply with federal law in 1993, Sheffield and a State grant began the process; but there is much more to a library than walls and ceilings.

In response to the need, Susan Young from the Friends led a capital campaign to raise money for essential furnishings and equipment apart from those provided for from the State grant and town appropriation. One third of the Sheffield families, including second home owners, contributed to the campaign. Today, donors from in and out of town give generously to the Friends Annual Appeal. Money collected still supports the Library’s mission as well as that of the Friends.