Shepherdstown Public Library Director Christy Hagerty talks about the impact the Nourishing Literacy Giving Circle has had, in the Bavarian Inn on Sept. 24. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Long before federal funding began to be threatened at libraries across the nation, as has become the case over the past few months, a group of five determined community members had recognized the need for increased support for their library, at the local level. They joined forces together to form the Nourishing Literacy Giving Circle in 2017 and, since then, have welcomed many other community members into their organization.

“We’re a support group for the library,” said founding member and Nourishing Literacy Giving Circle Coordinator Linda Spatig. “The idea is, we each have to make a pledge, like you do with public broadcasting, to contribute so much per month. That has really worked out well over time.”

Collectively, they have raised a substantial amount of money for the Shepherdstown Public Library, according to library director Christy Hagerty.

“Last year, the giving circle contributed $25,820 — that’s actually eight percent of our total budget. Without the giving circle, we would not be able to operate, but with their help we have been able to not only operate, but also thrive,” Hagerty said. “We’re always adding new materials and new opportunities for our community — which is really what it is about. We’re not just here to be here. We’re trying to engage the community and give us new opportunities.”

She noted that now, even more so than when it was founded, the giving circle is vital to the library’s success.

“In a time when so many institutions are taking away services, the public library remains the one, free place that provides those opportunities. And, with the giving circle, we are able to make that happen,” Hagerty said.

Hagerty, who attended a meeting with the Nourishing Literacy Giving Circle in the Bavarian Inn on Wednesday afternoon, noted this funding has enabled the library to serve the community well, especially as a significant number of people have begun to use the library’s services in recent years.

“This past fiscal year, from July 2024 to June 2025, 668 programs total were held throughout the year. 109,000 items circulated in and out of the library. Since the library has been open in its current building — that’s three years — we have added 3,025 new library card holders,” Hagerty said. “All of that is due to the Nourishing Literacy Giving Circle and their contributions.”

To learn more about the Nourishing Literacy Giving Circle, visit https://www.sheplibrary.org/nourishing-literacy-giving-circle/ or call the library at 304-876-2783.