This press release was submitted by the New Haven Free Public Library Foundation’s Director of Advancement Manmita Dutta.
The New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) Foundation will honor U.S. Senator Chris Murphy and community-based author and activist Mr. Ray Boyd at its upcoming Mardi Gras fundraiser. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, February 13, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Ives Main Branch of the Library, located at 133 Elm Street, New Haven, CT 06510. The Foundation is excited to recognize these individuals for their significant contributions to the library and the community.
U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy will be honored for his pivotal role in nominating the New Haven Free Public Library, a key factor in the library’s recognition and receipt of the prestigious 2019 Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Award. The IMLS Award is a testament to the library’s commitment to excellence in serving its community. Chosen from a pool of 30 national finalists, the recipients of the 2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Service exemplify institutions that deliver dynamic programming and services surpassing conventional standards. Senator Murphy has been instrumental in enhancing the national standing of the New Haven Free Public Library, steadfastly supporting our cause. In his words, “Libraries are more than just a place to check out books – they bring together people of all ages and offer tons of free programming and resources for the community. The New Haven Free Public Library is a great example, and I was proud to see this institution nationally recognized for the hard work and dedication of its staff. The NHFPL has been an exceptional partner in our work to make New Haven a place of opportunity for everyone, and it’s an honor to receive the Noah Webster Award.”
The Foundation will also pay tribute to local author Mr. Ray Boyd, whose book Mind Over Matter: How I Became the Model Inmate explores his time of incarceration. Mr. Boyd is currently a Program Manager for New Visions for Public Safety at the Yale University Law and Racial Justice Center. While incarcerated, Mr. Boyd co-founded the Skills of Socialization (S.O.S.) program as well as the T.R.U.E. Reentry program at the Cheshire Correctional Institute, garnering national attention with a featured segment on 60 Minutes. Mr. Boyd serves as a Board Member of CT Stop Solitary Confinement, volunteers with the United States Department of Justice as a speaker and was an expert contributor to the documentary Second Shot by Andrew Michael Ellis.
The New Haven Free Public Library Foundation is honored to highlight the achievements of these two remarkable individuals who have made substantial contributions to the library and the broader community.
“We are delighted to recognize Senator Chris Murphy and Mr. Ray Boyd for their outstanding contributions to our library and community. Their dedication to literacy, education, and community engagement aligns perfectly with the values we hold dear at the New Haven Free Public Library. We invite the community to join us in celebrating their achievements at our Mardi Gras fundraiser,” said Dr. Mary Ellen Savage, President of the New Haven Free Public Library Foundation Board of Directors.
The Mardi Gras fundraiser promises to be a night of celebration, with all proceeds supporting the New Haven Free Public Library’s ongoing initiatives and programs. For more details about the event please visit our website.
About the Noah Webster Award
The Noah Webster Award reflects the passion of Noah Webster, a Yale graduate and New Haven resident for many years, whose legacy remains a literacy building block today. The award recognizes a library supporter who builds community and advocacy coalitions in support of the Library and, in turn, the New Haven Community.
About the New Haven Free Public Library Foundation
The New Haven Free Public Library Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the New Haven Free Public Library in its mission to provide free and open access to information, ideas, and education for all members of the community.
