Once again, I have been asked by the spokesperson for the trustees/foundation to make a posting here. This letter was sent to the Standard Times and the Wareham Courier.

The Wareham Library Foundation is compelled to comment on totally incorrect allegations arising from a settlement earlier this week with the Wareham Board of Selectmen.

Funds held in trust for the library (now as part of the Wareham Library Foundation) by all measures have been very well managed. These funds have generated approximately $60,000 in donations to the Wareham Free Library since the Foundation was first formed in 2007.  And prior to that, trust funds administered by the Wareham Library Board of Trustees were the source of over one-half million dollars in donations to the library over a ten-year period.  This level of support was possible because these funds were able to be administered, by law, as part of a registered 501 (C) (3) charitable organization.

In the past year, as was the case with charitable organizations everywhere, including libraries and library foundations, these funds did experience a moderate reduction that in no way resembles figures used in some local media – specifically the Wareham Observer. Figures used in the Observer are totally fictitious and without any basis in fact.

As with charitable organizations everywhere, we are required by law to make an annual financial report to both the state and federal government and we have done this consistently.  This information is available to anyone seeking it.

We are outraged that Mr. Slager feels compelled not only to spread this misinformation, but also to take a positive development, the settlement of our dispute with the Wareham Board of Selectmen, and slant this in a malicious and scandalous manner.

We appreciate the efforts of the Wareham Board of Selectmen in resolving the dispute this week and in doing so, recognizing the strong track record of support and advocacy shown by the Wareham Library Foundation, the Friends of the Library and the former Wareham Library Board of Trustees.  We regard this settlement as the beginning of greater cooperation among all parties who truly care about having a strong local library.