Friends, trustees of library to oversee gift

By Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer

Published on March 05, 2010

A new subcommittee will decide how a large gift from a late Shutesbury couple will be used to improve the Jones Library and its branches.

At a joint meeting of the library trustees and Friends of the Jones Library Feb. 26, representatives from the elected municipal board and the membership organization that works to financially support the institution agreed a combined subcommittee should be formed to recommend how to spend more than $500,000 from Richard and Nathalie Woodbury.

Bill Hart, an attorney representing the Woodbury trust, said the language of the gift was designed to get the Friends involved in determining ways the $283,000 from Nathalie Woodbury's portion of the estate, already placed in an account separate from the Jones Inc. endowment, will be used.

"It's clear that the money is given to Jones Library Inc., to be used by the trustees, because they've got the money, but to be directed by the Friends," Hart said.

But the specific process for using the money, which will be supplemented by an even larger amount from Richard Woodbury's portion of the estate, is up to the two bodies.

<h4>Unrestricted uses</h4>

"It could be spent rapidly on needed materials, on salaries, you name it," Hart said. "I don't see restrictions on what is possible."

Bonnie Vigeland, president of the Friends, said a previous brainstorming session indicated there are three potential categories into which spending could fall: improving the physical plant of the Jones Library and the two branch libraries through renovations, augmenting programming and events already sponsored by the Friends, and purchasing more books, compact discs, DVDs and other materials. Vigeland said the working group could hold a forum for more ideas to be solicited, and perhaps a "wiki" Web site could be developed in which Friends, trustees and staff all contribute suggestions. There may be additional means to reach both those who use the library and nonpatrons.

Library Trustee Carol Gray said a renewable energy project, including the possibility of geothermal heating and cooling of the Jones Library building, is one investment option. She asked Hart if this is something the Woodburys might have supported.

As the Woodburys were attuned to environmental issues, such a project would be in keeping with their values, Hart said.

Others gathered at the meeting suggested a more deliberate use of the money.

Michael Greenebaum, a member of the Friends, wondered about establishing an endowment specific to the Friends and creating an annual spending rate similar to how trustees use the endowment. Fellow Friends member Lewis Mainzer agreed a cautious approach is needed.

Friends Secretary Sterling Bush said she would like to have an opinion piece published in the Amherst Bulletin to educate the public about the gift, and "that the monies aren't going to just be flittered away." Bush said she is concerned about residents putting pressure on officials to spend the money immediately, even though that might not be the best course of action.

Trustee Louis Greenbaum said besides the financial windfall, the gift from the Woodburys is serving to have trustees and Friends work more harmoniously and to acknowledge there is strength in unity.

Hart said he expects that the Woodburys would have wanted both trustees and Friends to support whatever choices are made. "The implication is that both boards need to be happy with the use of the funds," Hart said.