FSSPL Staff:
Executive Director – Jennifer Allen
Book Shop Manager – Jeff Budge
2022-2023 Board of Directors:
Klare Ingram, President
Ellen Beal, Vice President
Tim Maguire, Treasurer
Vincent Asaro, Secretary
Jennifer Castellani
Jennifer Coffey
Floria Huizinga
Ava Kuruzovich, Student Board Member
Amanda Martini-Hughes
Jay Portnoy
Ashley Richardson
Madeline Siebeneck, Student Board Member
Our History
Since 1976, the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library have promoted and supported the goals of the library. We have sponsored and initiated programs and provided gifts through membership fees and fundraising for the past thirty-five years. Advocacy has been crucial throughout the Friends’ history. Early on we were an articulate voice at School Board budget meetings and, in the late eighties, we provided much of the energy and leadership crucial to the passing of the bond issue that made the current library possible. After the new library was completed, The Friends Book Shop was founded to provide money for library enhancements and programs and to provide inexpensive reading material for the community along with a convenient way to recycle used books. Over the past fifteen years, the Friends have also looked for ways to highlight the contributions of the library staff, volunteers, and community members who have demonstrated distinguished service. We recognize these individuals through the Marie Madden and the H. Durham Hunt awards given at our annual meeting. Each December we also host a holiday party for the library staff and volunteers. Underlying all the activities and efforts of the Friends is the belief that a vital library is a great community asset.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Friends is to support the programs, staff, and facilities of the public library. We are a not-for-profit community organization dedicated to providing funds and volunteer services that the library itself may be unable to provide.
The Friends of the Library organization
Initiates and produces events to benefit the library, its patrons, local authors and the broader community of Saratoga Springs
Organizes special fundraising events to support community activities and to encourage library use
Works closely with the library staff and governing board to ensure that all activities are consistent with, and complementary to, the daily operation of the library
Provides the flexibility of a privately funded organization for the benefit of the publicly funded library