Charitable Donations
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This year saw the re-establishment of the Friends of the Leonia Public Library as a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer-run organization whose sole mission is to support and enhance the resources, services, and programs of the Leonia Public Library through fundraising, advocacy, and volunteerism.
The Library’s Board of Trustees and Director, Michelle Malone, work closely with the Friends towards a shared vision to promote a community where everyone values, engages with, and supports their public library as a hub for learning, connection, and cultural enrichment.
For over one hundred years, the Leonia Public Library has served as a cornerstone of our community, connecting people to ideas, resources, and one another. We continue to take meaningful steps forward to grow and modernize our offerings to better serve our patrons. This has been a year of tremendous growth, and we couldn’t have done it without you!
Public libraries, now more than ever, need support. We greatly appreciate past contributions, which have enabled us to broaden programming, refresh our collections, and introduce innovative new services. This year, the Library has hosted many community events, classes, and provided thousands of books, movies, and digital resources to our users.
These achievements would not be possible without our wonderful donors. While municipal funding supports our building operations and dedicated staff, it is community contributions that allow us to add to our programs, services, and collections, ensuring the Library remains a vibrant, welcoming space for all.
Wish List: This year you may direct your funds to:
The General Fund - Programming and immediate needs…
Books - If you have a specific book or category you want, let staff know.
Facilities - Painting, fixing doors, furniture, storage…
Technology - computers, laptops, tablets, smartboards, hotspots…
The Library of Things- lending non-traditional items, hotspots, museum passes, STEM kits…
Please consider making your tax-deductible gift today.
For a donation of $50 or more you become a member of the Friends of the Leonia Public Library, an organization dedicated to strengthening our library and our diverse community through free and open access to information, inspiration, and lifelong learning. If you would like to volunteer as a Friend, contact Friends@leonia.bccls.org.
We thank you for being a part of our journey. Your support is what keeps the heart of our community beating strongly.
With sincere gratitude,
David Scharf
President
Friends of the Leonia Public Library
Michelle Malone
Director
Leonia Public Library
Patrons
($25 - $99)
Anonymous (10)
Daniel and Karen Ahn
Terry Avignone
Joseph Bevacqua
Mr. and Mrs. Byrnes
Minsook Chang
Harriet Burdock (former Leonia Library Archivist)
Timothy and Linda Green
The Rev'd Mariano Gargiulo and Mr. William A. Borrelli
Timothy and Linda Green
Gail and Steve Hutnik
Amelia J. Janisz
Jieun Kim
Robert and Kaori LaPalme
Diane Lembo
Arnold Leonard
Arnold Leonard
A. C. Marana
Patricia Salomone
Linette Sandoval
Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Schwartz
Richard and Elizabeth Soh
The Virgin Family
Ronald H. Yee
Susan Ratti
Barbara and Tony Roe
Lucy Galland
Brad and Roberta Koshar
Sponsors
(Under $25)
Betty Anderson
Nadine Cerny
Monthly Recurring Donors
Mohammad Riza
Shankar Ramakrishnan
Sherry Firestein
Thank you to our 2025 donors!
We at the Leonia Public Library deeply appreciate the incredibly generous groups and individuals who have given their support to the mission and cause of the Leonia Public Library. Thanks to your generosity, the library is able to expand in our mission to act as a gateway to knowledge, information, and community.
The Leonia Public Library, and your entire community, owes you the deepest of thanks!
Fellows
($2,500+)
Benefactors
($100 - $499)
Anonymous
A. Robert Birmelin
The Borghi Family
Matthew Brennan
David and Melanie Carp
Soo-Kyung Chung
Englebert Clapper
A & K Courtney
Lucy Curci-Gonzalez
Elizabeth DeMarco
G. Edelman
Ruth Elsinger & John Suter
Martha Pfeffer
Richard Frankel
Ellen and James Healey
Carla Healy
Claire Heimarck
Mary Heveran
The Jonson Family
Vanessa Khan
Sally Ko
Eun Yeong Lee
Lydia Maurice
Colleen Mullen and Thomas Rebich
Charles Ryan and Theresa Norris
Phil S.
Susan Seyffarth
Sumita & Sid Singh Sehgal
Sally and Michael Seymour
Alice Smith (Sue)
David Solin
Susan Sullivan
Thomas Sullivan
Shabnam Tapia
Ratapol Teratanavat
Bradley and Noreen Wilds
Joni Rabiner
Sue Riordan
Sarah Pecht
Cynthia Zimmerly
Founders
($1,000 - $ 2,499)
Joe Choi
LEADERS
($500 - $999)
Harris and Lois Zeigler
Loren Wasserman
OTHER WAYS TO DONATE
Leonia Library Gift Donation Forms
The Leonia Public Library's Memorial/Gift Fund is a wonderful way to honor a friend or loved one. Donated books or audiovisual items will be used and enjoyed by Library patrons for years to come. This is a special way of remembering or honoring someone dear.
The Leonia Public Library will accept gift donation forms at the Circulation Desk, or you may print out the donation form and mail it in with your gift to:
Leonia Public Library
227 Fort Lee Road
Leonia, NJ 07605
We will acknowledge receipt of your gift and notify the family. A gift plate will be placed on the item with an appropriate and agreed upon message.
Planned Giving
Leave a legacy by supporting the Library via bequests, charitable IRA distributions, gifts from your estate and will, and more. Provide free and open access to education and opportunity for generations to come.
Gift donations Are Perfect For...
Memorials
Birthdays
The Person Who Has Everything
Graduations
Holidays
Book Lovers
Friends Who Are Moving Away
Anniversaries
Thank You's