Looking Ahead to Secure the Freedom to Read

When Sheila Thorne moved to Boston in 2023, she quickly found a sense of belonging at the Boston Public Library. A lifelong book lover, Sheila has always believed that access to books is essential to curiosity, empathy, and personal freedom. But in recent years, growing efforts to restrict access to reading materials have sharpened her sense of urgency—and her desire to act for the long term.

“Book bans made me think beyond the moment,” Sheila says. “They made me ask: how do we protect the freedom to read not just now but for generations to come?”

That question led Sheila to make a lasting commitment by naming the Boston Public Library Fund in her estate plan. Her decision reflects a belief that safeguarding access to books, especially for young people, requires foresight as well as action. Through her planned gift, Sheila hopes to help ensure that future readers will continue to encounter ideas that challenge, inspire, and expand their understanding of the world.

“Imagine having a limited ability to read,” she reflects. “I don’t want to. Books can take you to another place. They introduce you to worlds you might never otherwise know.” Including the Boston Public Library Fund in her will, she explains, was a natural extension of this belief.

By sharing her plans with the Fund, Sheila became a member of the 1848 Society, joining a community of supporters who are looking ahead to protect the Library’s mission for generations. “This gift is about the future,” she says. “It’s about making sure the doors—and the books—remain open.”