The Friends of the South End Library (FOSEL) depends on your generous contributions to advance its mission and provide the programming you enjoy as well as ongoing advocacy for the renovation and upkeep of the Library and the Park. Help us support the best institution in town: your neighborhood branch library. FOSEL is a 501(c)(3) public charity to which contributions are tax deductible.

Our EIN # is 26-2025971

Donate

To make a donation online, please click on the DONATE GENERAL SUPPORT button above.
To contribute by check, please make it out to Friends of the South End Library (FOSEL) and mail it to:

FOSEL
c/o Barbara Sommerfeld, Treasurer
150 W. Concord Street
Boston, MA 02118

We are pleased to offer a lovely FOSEL book bag, designed by South End artist Elizabeth Taylor, for donations of $60.00 or more. Please email info@friendsofsouthendlibrary.org if you are interested.

YOUR DONATION SUPPORTS OUR EFFORTS.

While our South End Library branch remains closed, FOSEL is working to answer the needs of neighbors by:

Advocating for temporary solutions and community engagement. FOSEL continues to build community and engage in dialogue with elected officials and BPL leadership to bring temporary BPL services to the South End.
Publicizing remote and outdoor library programs and services through posters, our newsletter, and social media channels.
Sponsoring concerts in Library Park. This annual tradition celebrates the South End’s legacy in jazz culture.
Maintaining Library Park and planting bulbs, which present a spectacular show in the spring. The Park is one of the few outdoor spaces in the BPL system and a place for relaxation and fun.
Stocking our Little Free Library box with books from local authors. The Little Free Library is located in Library Park; please borrow and share books with neighbors.

Photo: Juan Carlis Gonzalez. A refurbished Children’s Room and a separate Teen Area underneath the stairs — *Photo: Juan Carlis Gonzalez*. A refurbished Children’s Room and a separate Teen Area underneath the stairs

Photo: Juan Carlos Gonzalez. Your generous contributions helped pay for a variety of new seating arrangements in the adult reading room. — *Photo: Juan Carlos Gonzalez*. Your generous contributions helped pay for a variety of new seating arrangements in the adult reading room.

March 2020.

Thanks to your generous support, FOSEL raised more than $95,000, after expenses, in 2017. The proceeds were used to purchase new furnishings, upholstery, a ceiling-mounted projector and a roll-down screen as part of the BPL’s “refresh” of the Library’s interior in 2019/2020. The renovation has greatly improved the South End branch’s interior and upgraded Audio/Visual capacity in the Community Room upstairs. The BPL and FOSEL are now engaged in a public planning process to expand the Library’s size and space offerings. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all timelines are in flux but our efforts are continuing. As soon as the fog lifts, we will inform you, our supporters, of next steps.

Thank you.