CPLF: How can we make the Library magical?

This time of year allows us the opportunity to reflect on the contributions of the people who support the Concord Public Library Foundation through their time, talents, and financial gifts.

We are mourning the loss of one of our longtime board members, Karen Landsman, who passed away in August. Karen – who used to ask, "How can we make the Library magical?" – was a beloved school librarian, media specialist, and a tireless community volunteer. Even before joining the Foundation board, Karen volunteered at Concord Public Library, devoting much of her time to the Elizabeth Yates Award, which is given annually to a resident of the greater Concord area who is actively engaged in inspiring young people to read.

2025 Yates Award recipient Lin Kelly (right) celebrates with Foundation board member Wendy Follansbee and Mayor Byron Champlin.

Karen was especially excited about the 2025 recipient, Lin Kelly, who was honored in October. Through the Friends Foster Grandparents Program, “Grammie Lin” selflessly volunteered 1,500 hours in the classrooms at Abbot-Downing School, working closely with students to improve their literacy skills and help them discover a love for reading. Like Karen, Lin is dedicated to helping build foundational skills for future readers and library users.

The Yates Award is just one of many programs funded by the CPLF. With the generous gifts of donors like you, the Foundation has also continued to help fund the city-wide reading program, Concord Reads (see photo, below), and many other popular programs at Concord Public Library. Some of the projects we helped fund in the past year are museum passes, maintenance for library e-bikes “Abbot” and “Downing,” Lit Kits for young children, the new seed library, and 11 new items for the Library of Things! A compelling series of gallery images from local photographer Becky Field can now be seen in the library auditorium, thanks to the Foundation...and through the Books for Babies program, we gave a brand-new board book to every baby born at Concord Hospital. These initiatives and others help community members access resources and experiences in the library and beyond, all for free!

Make an online donation to CPLF - Click here

If you are reading this letter, chances are you are already part of our library community. We hope you’ll consider making a donation to CPLF today, perhaps in memory or in honor of someone who inspired you to read. (If you've already sent your donation for 2025 – please accept our grateful thanks for your generosity :) And next time you visit the library, know that it’s people like you who help make our library magical! Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving to all!​

Sincerely,

Kate Fox Ransmeier

President, CPLF Board of Directors

CPLF's latest public outing was a booth at the wonderful NH Book Fest in October! Board members had a great time talking to guests about the Foundation and our work to support and promote Concord Public Library. Thanks to everyone who visited.

The morning of his Concord Reads day last spring, author Ty Gagne (in vest) visited Concord High School, where more than 300 students attending his powerful, emotional talk, "Weathering the Storm." Ty took the time to chat with current students and checked out some projects related to their class reading of his book, The Last Traverse. Media specialist Crystal O'Brien (second from left) created a library display to encourage students to check out one of Ty's titles, and English teachers Heidi Crumrine and Matt Skoby (at right) planned Ty's visit to CHS.