GREENWICH – Longtime Greenwich residents and philanthropists Lynne and Richard Pasculano have donated $5 million to the Greenwich Library to create an endowment to be used for enhancing its signature speaker series, according to library board President Ian Murray.
“It will support our high level programming and enhance the library’s enduring commitment to the enhancement of culture, education, and community enrichment,” Murray announced just before kicking off the series Thursday night with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman. “The Pasculanos have been longtime friends of the Greenwich Library and Lynne has served on the Friends of the Greenwich Library board and chairs several committees.
“Their gift will allow us to greatly expand the list of speakers we can bring to you and the Greenwich community this year and for years to come.”
This is the largest endowment received by Greenwich Library in more than 30 years, marking a pivotal moment in the Library’s history, Murray said. The endowment is granted in perpetuity.
It will be known as the Lynne and Richard Pasculano Signature Series, according to Murray.
Richard Pasculano, who has lived in Greenwich with Lynne since 1974, said they decided to make the donation because the library has been part of their lives. He also mentioned that Lynne has been involved with it in many ways.
“We contributed to the library over the years in various forms,” he said. “This is a chance to do something that will last hopefully forever, which makes it kind of cool.”
“I suggested having a lecture series,” he added. “They had one but their budget didn’t allow for big names, which usually draw large crowds. There’s a speaker fee that has to be paid.”
The enhanced series, which features four headline events annually, brings world-class speakers and thought leaders to the community to address topics of global significance. The 2025 season launched Thursday with Friedman, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, who offered a timely and powerful discussion about global affairs in today’s rapidly changing world.
The library offers more than 2,200 programs annually, including author talks, children’s early literacy programming, technology, entrepreneurship and investing programs, book groups, business services, meeting spaces, and even an innovation lab with 3D printing and robotics workshops. Greenwich Library is number one in the state of Connecticut in total circulation and also supports a robust digital collection, with 50% of its collection available in digital format to meet the demands of a modern and connected community.
“This endowment ensures that the Greenwich Library’s Signature Series will continue to inspire and engage our community for generations to come,” said Joseph Williams, Greenwich Library director. “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 to come.”
Lynne and Richard Pasculano are longtime philanthropists and supporters of education and the arts, with significant contributions to institutions such as the New York Public Library and the Lincoln Center.
“We are deeply committed to the amazing programs that Greenwich Library and its staff bring to the community,” said Lynne Pasculano. “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.”
The Pasculano endowment aligns with 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. Part of the renovation was a thoroughly and thoughtfully remodeled Berkley Theater, where the Signature Series programming is held.
It was also through the Reimagine project that the Signature Series was born. Past Signature Series events included Doris Kearns Goodwin, Indra Nooyi, Mark Bittman, Tina Brown, Fareed Zakaria, Pete McBride, Jon Meacham, Melissa Clark, and other notable authors.
The Greenwich Library Signature Series has been offered to community members at no charge due to the generous support of the Greenwich Library Board of Trustees and now will continue through the support of the Pasculanos.
“This endowment is not only a vote of confidence in our Signature Series but a validation of our libraries’ critical role in our community,” said Williams. “Libraries are places of connection, discovery, and learning and we’re proud to lead the way.”
