How you can support Otis

Our Mission
Otis Library provides free and open access to information, ideas, and services that anticipate our community’s personal, educational and professional needs. The Library enriches our region by maintaining a safe and welcoming environment and by offering resources that promote lifelong learning.
Our Opportunity
As a supporter of Otis Library, you understand what an important role the Library plays in our community. Our commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Norwich is demonstrated every day. Together we are working to strengthen our children, our families and our neighborhoods. We realize an accessible and strong library program creates an energizing community center that allows for relationship building, economic growth, personal exploration, educational partnership and cultural awareness. Your support paired with our mission creates amazing opportunities. Please consider making a generous gift to Otis Library.

How to Contact the Development Office:
Andrea Bell Kaiser
Director of Development
Otis Library
261 Main Street
Norwich, CT 06360
889-2365 x 127
akaiser@otis.lioninc.org

Your Support goes a long way
We gladly accept cash, checks, credit cards and gifts of stock. Please contact the Director of Development (889-2365 ext. 127) with any questions regarding your gift. Thank you for advancing our mission.

A gift to the Annual Appeal truly makes a difference
Otis Library proudly invites you to support our Annual Fund Campaign. The Annual Fund was established in 2004 and has continued to experience increasing growth since that time. The Annual Fund Campaign provides a broad range of financial support to all areas of the library. Your gift, no matter how small, helps to strengthen the Library’s service to the community by providing enhancements to our collection, quality children’s programming, cutting edge technology upgrades, special events and facility maintenance and upgrades. Last year nearly 500 residents sent generous gifts to this important campaign.

You may be able to double or triple your gift
Many area employers match charitable gifts given by their employees. Please check with your employer to see if this generous benefit is available. Simply include the necessary paperwork when making your gift so that we can take full advantage of your company’s generosity.

Touching hearts with memorial and honorary gifts
Memorial and Honorary gifts offer your family, business or organization a unique way of acknowledging individuals who have made an impact. Otis Library invites you to replace traditional gift giving with a thoughtful donation to the Library. Participating in this special program not only serves as a tribute but promotes literacy and strengthens the collection at Otis. Many groups have provided funding for special collections, books, DVD’s, CD’s and the Annual Fund. We are happy to work with you to personalize your thoughtfulness, simply contact the Development Office at 889-2365 x 127. Public acknowledgement for your gift can take many different forms including personalized book plates, special plaques or collections. To specifically honor or memorialize someone with a donation that will be used to purchase a book with a commemorative book plate please click here to print and mail our honorary book form.

We are always searching for creative ways to connect you to Otis
We welcome corporate donations that help defray the cost of special programming and events. We are happy to provide unique corporate visibility on signage, on our website, and monthly newsletter. Packages can be designed individually to ensure that your business receives the maximum exposure. To learn more, contact the Development Office.

Our signature fundraising event is the highlight of the year
Evening with an Author
Our signature fundraising event, Evening with an Author has been a community favorite since 2004. Presenting authors include: Wally Lamb, Dominick Dunne, Thomas Fleming, Jonathan Mahler and Beverly Gage. This event supports the Annual Fund Campaign. Event sponsorship, ticket sales and silent auction item donations make this event our largest fundraiser each year. We hope you will join us for this spectacular evening. If you would like to be added to our 2010 mailing/invitation list please contact the Development Office with your name and address. Check back soon to learn about our 2010 event.

Everyone needs Friends - Friends of Otis Library Membership
Otis is grateful to have a very supportive Friends of Otis Library advocacy group. Members of our Friends sponsor an American Girl Doll Tea, host book sales and host creative and informative educational programs for adults. In addition, the group provides generous funding for many items that our budget will not allow for. To become a valued member print a membership form and return it to the Library.

Legacy Giving
If the Library has made a difference in your life or the life of someone you love, consider Otis Library when making your estate plans. Make a difference in the lives that follow. Here are five things that Leave a Legacy Connecticut suggests you can do today.
  1. Prepare a will, and include a gift to Otis Library. Only 50% of those who pass away have a will, and fewer than 3% of those wills contain a charitable gift.
  2. Donate a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your assets, including stocks, bonds, CD’s or other property.
  3. Name Otis Library as the beneficiary of your IRA or pension plan.
  4. Name Otis Library as the beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy, or purchase a new policy and name Otis Library as the beneficiary.
  5. Honor deserving friends and remember loved ones with a memorial gift to Otis.
To learn more contact the Development Office or simply speak to your attorney.

Otis Library Wish List and Book Donations
Patrons often ask if they can donate items to the library. We are currently accepting the following wish list items:
  1. Glue sticks (non-toxic)
  2. paper towels
  3. tissues
  4. washable markers
  5. foam paint brushes
  6. washable tempura paint
  7. small paint brushes
  8. craft foam
  9. double-sided tape
  10. velcro tape
  11. masking tape
  12. liquid anti-bacterial soap
  13. Glue Sticks
  14. Movie Posters
  15. Poster Board
  16. Craft supplies (stickers, decorative papers)
  17. large dry erase board
  18. flip video camera
  19. white out
  20. pencils/pens
  21. hand sanitizer

In addition, patrons often have gently used books, DVD’s and CD’s that they would like to donate to our collection. We do accept donations for our collection and for our Friends book sale held every October and April. Donations can be brought (one bag/box at a time please) to our circulation desk in the atrium. If your donation is of a special nature or size please call ahead to make arrangements for receiving.

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