General Information
Public library services in Thetford are funded through a public/private partnership between the taxpayers in town and the investments and fundraising efforts overseen by the Boards of Trustees of the Thetford Library Federation, Latham Memorial Library, and George Peabody Library.
The Thetford Library Federation presents a unified budget request each year for approval at Town Meeting. The town’s generous support covers the majority of staffing costs for both Latham and Peabody, along with some operational support. We are grateful to generous community donors who provide the remaining funds that are essential for operating our Thetford public libraries.
Latham Memorial Library
Latham’s Annual Appeal is currently in progress, with a goal to raise $10,000 for this year’s operating budget. Checks made payable to Latham Memorial Library can be delivered in person or mailed to PO Box 240, Thetford VT 05074. Donations can also be made online at donorbox.org/latham-appeal-2024.
Latham Memorial Library is open Monday through Saturday. Through a cooperative agreement, the Latham Board of Trustees serves as the employer for the public librarians who provide services, collection management and programs at both Latham and Peabody. The Latham Trustees are also responsible for upgrades and improvements to the Latham spaces within the Bicentennial Building, such as the renovation of the Community Room in 2022.
Your donations directly support the purchase of books, audiobooks, DVDs, downloadable ebooks and audiobooks, streaming movies, family programs, author events, game nights, educational presentations, and more. Checks should be made payable to Latham Memorial Library, and can be dropped off in person or mailed to PO Box 240, Thetford, VT 05074. For more information, please see the Gift Acceptance Policy, available on the Latham Bylaws and Policies page.
Please let the librarians know if you wish to be contacted about options for supporting Latham over time with a special gift to the endowment through a direct gift or a legacy gift in your estate plans.
Latham Memorial Library is recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS under section 501(c)3, tax ID 03-6008134.
George Peabody Library
The George Peabody Library in Post Mills is currently open two days per week, and hosts many events throughout the year, including the long-beloved tradition of the Penny Carnival. The Peabody Board of Trustees owns and maintains the historic building, which is Vermont’s oldest library in continuous use. A portion of the original historic collection is available for in-library browsing, while a small but excellent collection of more recent books, audiobooks and DVDs is available to borrow.
Donations to Peabody support the collections, programs and maintenance of this gem of a building. Checks should be payable to George Peabody Library, and dropped off or mailed to P.O. Box 190, Post Mills, VT 05058.
George Peabody Library is recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS under section 501(c)3, tax ID 03-6025460.
Recent fundraising campaigns for Peabody
From December 2023-January 2024, Peabody Trustees completed the Annual Appeal, successfully meeting their goal to raise $1,300. Thank you to all volunteers and donors!
Thetford Library Federation
The Thetford Library Federation operates and maintains the Bicentennial Building, providing rent- and utility-free space to the Latham Memorial Library and the Thetford Historical Society Library (more info at https://www.thetfordhistoricalsociety.org). The Federation also provides a unified online catalog for the collections of Latham, Peabody and the Thetford Academy and Thetford Elementary School libraries, and encourages collaboration between all the libraries in town. For more information about the Federation, please visit thetfordvt.gov/community/thetford-library-federation.
Donations to the Federation support the costs of maintaining and operating the Bicentennial Building, and resource sharing between school and public libraries including the online catalog. Donations can be made any time via cash or check payable to Thetford Library Federation, P.O. Box 155, Thetford, VT 05074.
Thetford Library Federation is recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS under section 501(c)3, tax ID 23-7187922.
Recent fundraising campaigns for the Federation
At the end of 2023, the Federation exceeded their fundraising goal of their Annual Appeal, raising more than $8000 for the 2024 budget. Thank you to the volunteers who helped organize and manage the campaign, and to generous Thetford residents and supporters!