Hope Library Ruth Obenauf Memorial Fund & Hope Library Doris Trott Memorial Fund

“Not the same old shhhh…” is the motto of the Hope Library, located in the heart of historic Hope Village. Cora Morrigan, Library Director, explains, “Libraries are often thought of as an elitist, intellectual club, but our library is anything but stodgy.” Cora’s goal since stepping into her role in February 2022, has been to foster and promote the library as a lively, active, place of discovery focused on the community and its patrons. To that end, she and her staff have created a friendly, welcoming space, a “community living room,” offering a number of free services, from the latest books, audio and eBooks to public internet access and educational programs for all ages. “You can’t get through the doors without someone greeting you; it’s a place where everybody really does know your name.”

Two of the patrons well known to the library and staff were Doris Trott and Ruth Obenauf, who left legacy gifts to the organization. Doris loved gardens, cooking, painting, architecture, nature, textiles and travel, and the fund established in Doris’ name will be used to purchase books about these subjects, sharing her many and varied interests with others. Ruth was a frequent visitor and beloved by the staff who remember her as “all in for every bake sale and event.” Ruth’s passion was crafting and proceeds from her endowment fund support craft books, supplies, and craft programming. “These women left their thumbprints on their library and community, and we are so grateful to them for making the things they loved available to all.”

When Cora began her directorship, she wanted to protect Hope Library from future financial instability. Historically, their only source of funding was government aid and private donations, leaving the library in a precarious situation during economic downturns. Through the establishment of these two memorial endowments at the Foundation, Cora has been able to ensure greater financial security for the organization. “Rather than sitting in a checking account, the library can now grow this investment through the Foundation’s expert management of funds and use the interest in the future…the Foundation does so much good for the people of Rhode Island, and we want to buy into that with our money; our shared missions are community forward, and we serve everyone.”