Over the last few weeks, The Item has published several stories on the naming of the Lynn Public Library building for late Mayor Patrick J. McManus. Those stories have included references to an ongoing fundraising campaign in conjunction with that initiative. With the formal dedication ceremony set for Thursday at 5 p.m., let’s get to the point.
The library needs our help.
A majestic, 125-year-old structure, the Lynn Public Library is tired and in need of significant repairs. There is a long list of deferred maintenance that needs to be addressed. Now.
A group of people – call them FOP (Friends of Pat) – are spearheading the effort to raise $150,000 for the library, a gift to be made in the memory and honor of the man for whom the building is now named.
McManus would have loved that. The City’s longest consecutive-serving mayor, he was a huge fan of education in general and the library in particular. He actually expressed a desire for that building to be named for him should the City deem him deserving of that type of honor. He was an outstanding student-athlete at Lynn English and Bowdoin College. He also attended Suffolk University for an accounting degree, as he was a certified public accountant, and Boston College for a law degree, as he was an attorney.
He is the only person to be selected an Agganis Foundation Scholarship recipient, Agganis Football All-Star and a trustee of the foundation. Literacy and education were at the top of his agenda.
Now, there is an opportunity for fans of McManus, the library or reading in general to make a difference by contributing to an effort that seeks to restore the library building to its past glory. There is no such a thing as a gift that is too small or too big. Every gift counts toward reaching the goal.
Checks can be sent to: PJM Library, Inc., 85 Exchange St., Suite 218, Lynn, MA 01901, or you can scan the QR code below. Donations are tax-deductible (Tax ID# 99-2982915). If you have questions, Maryanne Rooney-Hegan can be reached at [email protected].
Do it for the library. Do it for Pat. Just do it.
Come to the event. Make a contribution.
Please and thank you.
