FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
2026 Friends of the Fulton Public Library Anniversary Gala
120 Years
of Stories, Community and Connection
Honoring the Past. Inspiring the Future.
Friday, October 16, 2026 • 6:00 – 9:00 pm • fulton public library
A Building Filled with Belonging
For 120 years, this library has welcomed the community in.
Generations of readers, learners, families, and neighbors entered its doors – each adding to the story of this historic Carnegie building.
The Fulton Public Library is a vital hub not just for the city of Fulton, but for the residents of Volney, Granby, and all our surrounding communities. The 2026 Friends of the Fulton Public Library Anniversary Gala honors this shared legacy. Together, we will celebrate the memories held within these walls and invest in the future of a library that continues to connect, inspire, and serve our region.
A Strolling Celebration
The Evening Through the Decades
Join us at the 2026 Anniversary Gala and wander through the library and discover food, drink, music, photographs, and stories inspired by different eras.
1900s
A New Century
Archival imagery, period-inspired details, and a glimpse into the library’s earliest years.
1920s
Modern Momentum
Geometric refinement, bright rhythms, and a taste of a changing cultural landscape.
1940s
Community & Resilience
Stories of shared purpose, familiar flavors, and music that carried a generation.
1960s
New Voices
Bold ideas, evolving tastes, and memories from a library growing with Fulton.
1980s
Color & Connection
A playful nod to the decade celebrating drinks that inspired a generation.
Today
The Next Chapter
Celebrate the library as it is now and the future our community is building together.
On smaller screens, swipe to explore the decades.
One Library, Many Eras
What Guests Will Experience
Inventive Bites
Small plates and tastes influenced by the eras represented throughout the library.
Timeless Drinks
Custom cocktails and beverages that complement the journey through the decades.
Live Music
Classical music, big-band-inspired sounds, and a lively modern finish.
Stories
Historic images, library memories, and community voices woven into the evening.
Raffles & Giveaways
120th Anniversary collector’s item and more ways to join the fun, support the library and take home something memorable.
Inside the Carnegie Library
An atmospheric evening held throughout the building, with an outdoor tent for added seating and activities.
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For 120 years, this historic building has held more than books. It holds the stories of Fulton, Volney, Granby, and beyond. It is where our seniors learn new technology, our teens find a safe space to advise and create, and our children discover a lifelong love of reading.
Help us carry those stories forward.
A Shared Investment
$16,000 Toward a Stronger Future
You’re not just donating. You are investing in imagination, opportunity, and community.
The Fulton Public Library provides essential services, from empowering older adults through Senior Planet and dedicated senior outreach, to nurturing young minds with dynamic children’s programs and an active Teen Advisory Council.
The Friends of the Fulton Public Library are proud to back these incredible initiatives. Guided by a volunteer board that donates over 800 hours annually, we operate with a commitment to efficiency: 97 cents of every dollar raised goes straight back to the library.
Every ticket, sponsorship, and donation helps preserve the character of this historic space while ensuring these amazing programs thrive for years to come.
Community Goal of $16,000
When you attend or sponsor the Gala, you help us continue this mission. Your support directly funds:
Facility Enhancements: Paying for essential building upgrades to keep our historic Carnegie building beautiful, comfortable, and functional.
Engaging Community Events: Bringing NYT bestselling authors like Matt Dinniman to our local readers and staging engaging fundraisers like our interactive Valentine’s Mystery Event and the annual Pulled Pork BBQ.
Youth & Teen Initiatives: Fully funding community-favorite initiatives like the Teen Swag Bag program.
Staff & Program Support: Providing hands-on volunteer assistance, program materials, and resources so the library staff can focus on delivering exceptional services.
Invest in the Story Ahead
Sponsorship becomes part of the library’s next chapter.
Your gift is an investment and part of the legacy of this timeless historic building and the entire community it serves.
Help us preserve a place where generations of Fulton residents have gathered to read, learn, discover, and connect. You and your organization will be recognized throughout the celebration while helping the library protect its legacy and prepare for the years ahead.
Benefits include:
4–10 Gala Tickets
Customized Media Recognition
Speaking Opportunity at the Gala
Prominent Event Signage
Decade Station Recognition
Custom 120th Anniversary Gift
Private Historic Tour with Refreshments
Additional benefits based on sponsorship level
Reserve your Place
Tickets
Join us for an elegant evening of unique food, themed drinks, local music, and history inside the historic Fulton Public Library.
Individual Ticket
$50
Admission for one guest includes food, drinks, live entertainment, giveaways, and experiences throughout the library.
Tickets available beginning August 16, 2026
Sponsorships are available now and include multiple ticket options. Please see the sponsorship details below. We would love to have you join us!
The Stories Within Our Story
Help Us Preserve a Library Memory
HAVE A STORY TO SHARE? Remember when your child got their first library card? or maybe you met a secret friend behind the bookstacks? Or that photo of the library at sunset from 1988? Please consider sharing your photo or story with us. The foundation of this building is made up of you and our community and the memories of the last 120 years.
Current Library
1910s Postcard
1911 Postcard of Library
Historic Interior View
A library’s history is made from more than dates and buildings. It is made from the people who remember it.
Photographs and stories may be considered for inclusion in the gala, website, or library history displays.
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Friday, October 16, 2026
120 Years
Please Help Us Write the Next Chapter
On any given week, the Fulton Public Library may be helping a preschooler fall in love with stories, giving a teenager a voice in library programming, connecting an older adult with technology or community resources, or providing a family with free access to materials and experiences they might not otherwise have.
The library offers hands-on children’s activities, storytimes and book clubs; Teen Advisory Board leadership opportunities and monthly Teen Swag Bags; creative, educational and social programs for adults; technology assistance and learning resources for seniors; outreach throughout the community; and welcoming spaces where people of every age can learn, connect and belong.
It is also a place to access computers, Wi-Fi and digital resources, borrow materials and technology, discover local history, attend special events, and find practical help without judgment.
This is what 120 years of community service looks like and it continues every day.
Please help us write the next chapter and join us for an evening of stories, music, connection, and community support inside the historic Fulton Public Library.