Welcome to Library Trustee Rachel Kempster Barry!

The Friends of the Madison Public Library (FMPL) are pleased to announce that Library Trustee Rachel Kempster Barry will now serve as the Library Board liaison to the Friends. Pam Hogan, President of the FMPL, says, “Having a closer line of communication between the Library Trustees and Friends will help to ensure our goals and messaging for funding align with the library’s current and future needs.” Hogan added, “Rachel brings experience from the publishing world along with great enthusiasm for our volunteer work.”  

Rachel Kempster Barry has worked in the book publishing industry for more than 20 years as an indie bookseller, an author, a Vice President of marketing and publicity for a publisher (DK/PRH) and a book festival director. 

 “Since moving to Madison over five years ago, I’ve been so impressed with the efforts of the Friends,” says Barry. “From their minicourses to their fundraising work to support the library, they are doing remarkable work that helps everyone in Madison and our neighboring communities.” 

FMPL is a non-profit organization run by a group of volunteers who work to stimulate public interest and community use of the library’s resources and services and provide fundraising support. After expenses, all funds the Friends raise are designated to go to the library to finance materials, services, programs, technology and improvements that are not covered in the regular library budget.