Walk into any local library branch on a Tuesday morning and it seems quiet. You see the books, the flickering monitors, and maybe a few people nursing lukewarm coffees while they browse the New Arrivals shelf. But there’s a massive operation happening behind those shelves that most people never notice. It’s not run by city hall or high-paid consultants. It’s run by the friends of the library.
They’re a bit of an anomaly in the modern world. In an era where everything is monetized and "growth hacked," these groups are essentially non-profit boots-on-the-ground crews who believe that free access to information is a hill worth dying on. Honestly, without them, your local branch would probably look a lot more like a dusty warehouse and a lot less like a community hub.
What do friends of the library actually do all day?
Most people think it’s just about sorting through old, donated copies of The Da Vinci Code. It isn’t. While the "Friends" do run those massive book sales you see twice a year, that’s just the top layer of the cake.
Basically, they are the fundraising arm that the government forgot to build. Most municipal budgets cover the "sticks and bricks"—the light bill, the building maintenance, and the librarians' salaries. But the "cool stuff"? The 3D printers in the maker space, the summer reading prizes for kids, the expensive guest speakers, and even some of the digital subscriptions like Libby or Kanopy? That money often comes straight from the friends of the library bank account.
They act as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This is a huge distinction because it means they can lobby for the library in ways that actual city employees can't. If a city council is looking to slash the library’s budget to pay for a new stadium, the librarians have to stay quiet and neutral. The Friends? They can show up at the meeting with signs, petitions, and a list of angry voters. They are the political shield for your books.
The grit behind the book sale
Let's talk about those sales for a second. It’s exhausting work. I’ve seen volunteers in their 70s hauling boxes of encyclopedias that weigh forty pounds each. They spend months scanning barcodes to see if a book is worth $0.50 or $50.00.
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According to United for Libraries (a division of the American Library Association), these groups collectively raise millions of dollars every year. For example, the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library in Minnesota doesn't just sell books; they run major gala events and advocacy campaigns that have secured tens of millions in long-term funding. It's high-level nonprofit management disguised as a neighborhood club.
Why it's not just "volunteering"
If you sign up, you’re not just shelving books. In fact, most librarians don't want volunteers shelving books because there's a specific system (looking at you, Dewey Decimal) and mistakes cause chaos. Instead, friends of the library handle the stuff that requires a "human touch."
- They organize the "English as a Second Language" (ESL) tutoring sessions.
- They run the "Homebound" programs where they hand-deliver books to seniors who can't leave their houses.
- They manage the gift shop—if your library is fancy enough to have one.
- They advocate. This is the big one. They write letters to state representatives to ensure library grants stay in the state budget.
It’s about community social capital. Robert Putnam talked about this in Bowling Alone—the idea that our "social fabric" is fraying because we don't join groups anymore. The Friends are one of the few places left where a retired corporate lawyer, a stay-at-home parent, and a college student sit at the same table to solve a local problem.
The weird tension between the city and the Friends
It’s not always sunshine and roses. Sometimes there’s drama.
Because the friends of the library are an independent entity, they have their own money. Sometimes, a library director wants to spend that money on a new carpet, but the Friends board thinks the money should go toward a new collection of Spanish-language graphic novels. Since the Friends aren't city employees, the director can't just order them to hand over the cash. It requires a lot of negotiation and "soft power."
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There’s also the issue of "supplanting." This is a wonky term but basically, it means the city sees the Friends raising $50,000 and decides, "Hey, since the Friends are paying for the kids' programs, we can cut $50,000 from the library's tax budget." The Friends have to be constantly vigilant to make sure their fundraising is supplementing the budget, not replacing it. They want to provide the "extras," not pay the electric bill that the taxpayers already covered.
A look at the numbers
| Source of Library Support | What it typically covers |
|---|---|
| Municipal/Tax Funding | Salaries, building rent, electricity, basic book budget |
| Friends of the Library | Special events, museum passes, furniture, tech upgrades |
| State/Federal Grants | Infrastructure, major literacy initiatives, broadband |
Misconceptions that drive me crazy
People think you have to be a "book person" or a retired teacher to join. Wrong.
I once met a Friend who was a retired systems engineer. He didn't care about the latest romance novels. He cared about the fact that the library was the only place in town with high-speed fiber internet and a climate-controlled room for teens to hang out in after school. He spent his time optimizing their used book database.
Another big myth: "Libraries are dying, so why bother?"
Actually, library usage is spiking, especially among Gen Z and Millennials. A 2023 report from the ALA showed that younger generations are using libraries at higher rates than Boomers, often as a "third space" to escape the "pay-to-exist" reality of coffee shops and coworking spaces. The friends of the library are the ones making sure those spaces have comfortable chairs and working outlets.
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How to actually get involved (without losing your mind)
If you're thinking about joining, don't just show up and expect a task list. These are grassroots groups. They are usually desperate for people who have specific skills:
- Social Media Ninjas: Most Friends groups have a Facebook page that looks like it was designed in 2004. If you can run a TikTok or an Instagram, you're a godsend.
- Legal/Accounting Help: Since they are a 501(c)(3), they have to file taxes and follow nonprofit laws. A CPA who can spend two hours a month looking at their books is worth their weight in gold.
- Heavy Lifters: Seriously. Book sales involve moving thousands of pounds of paper.
- The "Schmoozers": People who are comfortable calling up the local pizza shop and asking them to donate 10 pies for the teen gaming night.
You don't have to commit your whole life to it. Most groups have "active" members and "supporting" members. Supporting members just pay a yearly fee (usually like $20) and that money goes straight into the "save the library" pot. It's the easiest way to be a local hero.
The real impact: A case study in survival
Look at what happened in Vinton County, Ohio, or other rural areas where the library is literally the only source of free Wi-Fi and job application help. In these spots, the friends of the library aren't just "helping out"—they are keeping a lifeline open. When the pandemic hit, it was often the Friends groups that pivoted to fund outdoor Wi-Fi boosters so kids could sit in the parking lot and do their homework.
They provide "Museum Passes" where you can check out a plastic card that gets a family of four into the city zoo or a science museum for free. That’s a $150 value for a family that might be struggling. The Friends pay for those passes. They are essentially laundering community money into social equity. It’s brilliant.
Taking the next step
If you want to support your local branch, don't just "like" their posts on social media.
- Go to the website: Look for a "Join the Friends" link. It’s usually buried at the bottom.
- Check the dues: It’s usually cheaper than a month of Netflix. Pay it.
- Show up to one meeting: See what the vibe is. Every group has its own personality—some are very formal, others are basically just an excuse to eat cookies and talk about the neighborhood.
- Donate books correctly: Don't drop off moldy boxes from your basement. Ask the Friends what they actually need. Quality over quantity keeps their disposal costs down.
Libraries are one of the last places in society where you aren't expected to spend money. The friends of the library are the reason that's still true. They are the quiet, slightly caffeinated army keeping the doors open for everyone, regardless of their bank balance.