By Jenifer Howard
As a longtime Greenwich resident and an avid fan of our exceptional Greenwich Library, the news about the Library receiving a landmark $5 million endowment to permanently support the Greenwich Library’s Signature Series programming was thrilling. This incredible gift from Greenwich residents Lynne and Richard Pasculano ensures that our beloved Library will continue to bring world-class speakers and thought leaders to our town, enriching our community for generations to come.
The Signature Series, of which I’ve had the honor of working with the Library on some of the programs, has already welcomed such luminaries as Doris Kearns Goodwin, Indra Nooyi, Fareed Zakaria, Tina Brown, Jon Meacham, Melissa Clark, and other notable authors. Kicking off this exciting new chapter at the first Signature Series event of 2025 was Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Friedman. The series going forward will be newly renamed the Lynne and Richard Pasculano Signature Series and will feature four headline events annually, bringing in world-class speakers and thought leaders to the community to address topics of global significance. This endowment will support this important program bringing world-class authors and speakers in perpetuity.
So why is this endowment so important? Beyond supporting the incredible authors and speakers who come to our town and share their thoughts, experiences and wisdom, this endowment is also a testament to the Library’s role as a vital center for education, culture and civic engagement.
Greenwich Library is no longer just about books (although we all love the books and it has some of the largest collections in the state), but is a growing community center that offers robust programming, an innovation lab, story hours, world-class theater and music programming, business resources and support, and community gatherings. In fact, since the Library’s Reimagine project, a major 18-month renovation completed in 2021 that modernized spaces to support expanded programming and serve evolving community needs, including the beautiful fully renovated Berkley Theater and The Café at Greenwich Library, the building has become more vital to the community than ever before.
This endowment, in support of the Library’s Signature Series, guarantees that the Library, which is recognized as one of the nation’s premiere libraries and the most visited library in the state of Connecticut, will continue to serve as a hub for lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity. By offering more than 2,200 events annually, including author talks, technology workshops and early literacy programs, Greenwich Library is more than just a place to borrow books – it’s the heart of our town.
The Pasculanos, who have a longstanding commitment to education and the arts, and are philanthropists with significant contributions to institutions such as the New York Public Library and the Lincoln Center, understand the impact a library can have on a community. Their generosity ensures that these thought-provoking discussions and enriching cultural experiences will remain a staple in Greenwich. This endowment builds on the Library’s vision, strengthening its mission to foster conversation, discovery, and access to knowledge for all.
Lynne Pasculano eloquently shared, “We are deeply committed to the amazing programs that Greenwich Library and its staff bring to the community. Supporting the Library’s premier Signature Series with this endowment means that the Library will be able to continue to bring in incredible thought leaders who encourage important conversations on our world for many years to come. We are proud to support Greenwich Library and put these funds to use that will benefit the whole community.”
“This endowment ensures that the Greenwich Library’s Signature Series will continue to inspire and engage our community for generations to come,” noted Joseph Williams, director of Greenwich Library. “We are deeply grateful to Lynne and Richard Pasculano for their generosity and vision. Their gift underscores the changing role of libraries as cultural and educational cornerstones of society, and it allows us to expand our mission of fostering thoughtful discourse and discovery and continue it for generations.”
In a time when libraries across the country are facing challenges, Greenwich Library stands as a beacon of what is possible when a community values knowledge and connection. This endowment is a powerful statement about the role of libraries in the 21st century—not just as repositories of books, but as dynamic spaces that inspire, educate and bring people together.
So, the next time you step into Greenwich Library, whether it’s to check out a book, attend a lecture or book group, explore a new technology in the Innovation Lab or grab a coffee or snack in The Café, take a moment to appreciate the incredible resource we have in our town. And let’s celebrate this gift that will keep our Library’s doors open to new ideas, groundbreaking discussions and the shared pursuit of knowledge—forever.
Jenifer Howard is a Greenwich resident and public relations professional, who works with tech, consumer product companies, sports, music and nonprofits through her agency J. Howard Public Relations (JHPR).
