Since organizing in 1984, the Friends of the Kansas City Public Library have supported your Library through advocacy, outreach, and financial assistance. During National Friends of Libraries Week, celebrated from October 20-26, 2019, we recognize the contributions of Friends members to many Library programs and initiatives.

“Joining the Friends of the Library is one of the most effective ways you can help support the Library and its mission,” says Friends president Matt Sterling. “Our members care deeply about providing access to knowledge and opportunity for all people in Kansas City, and the Library is among our local institutions best positioned to deliver important services and resources to everyone. The Friends are here to help the Library succeed, which in turns helps our community succeed.
 
“If you’re someone who cares about education, literacy, and social equity, we invite you to become a Friend of the Library.”

Here are just a few of the ways the Friends make an impact - you can also learn more about becoming a member at kclibraryfriends.org.

JOIN THE FRIENDS
 

 

BRINGING THE BOOKS

The Friends organize and operate a series of book sales throughout the year, raising funds for Library services while also providing the public with good-quality used books, CDs, DVDs, and more. Up next: the annual Arts & Coffee Table Book Sale on Oct. 26, which offers collections of titles featuring art, music, film, photography, and other topics.

GIVING GROUPS THE GOOD READS

The Library provides materials and support to a number of community book groups; many of the titles are made available thanks to the Friends purchasing new copies for these groups to enjoy.

LIBRARY BOOK GROUPS

SUPPORTING VITAL PROGRAMS

 

A wide array of Library initiatives and services benefit from Friends' support, whether through direct financial means or awareness-building. Summer Reading, the teen Digital Media Lab, Outreach services, Career Online High School, and early literacy programs are among the many community-focused programs the Friends have made contributions to. 

On November 13, the Friends are co-sponsoring Writers for Readers, a fundraising event in support of a collaborative creative writing effort between the Library and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

WELCOMING NEW CITIZENS

Citizenship classes organzed by the Library's Refugee & Immigrant Services & Empowerment (RISE) division culminate in naturalization ceremonies held at the Central Library. The Friends sponsor receptions following these programs to welcome new citizens and their families to our community. 
 

EVENT ASSISTANCE

Friends support the Library's free public programming by helping to sell books and provide resources to bring in speakers who educate and inform the Kansas City community. As part of Friends of Libraries Week,  the Friends are co-presenting a visit by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Timothy Egan at the Library's Plaza Branch on Tuesday, October 12.

ESSENTIAL ADVOCACY

In 2018, as the Library asked voters for an increase in its operating levy for the first time in 22 years, the Friends took the lead to financially support the public advocacy campaign, and organized volunteer activities such as delivering yard signs and attending community information sessions. The Library Question passed with overwhelming support -- 83.5% voter approval.

 

FRIENDS FOR THE FUTURE

The Young Friends of the Library are helping build the next generation of Library lovers by hosting a variety of events and activities that champion the Library and its mission. From book-exchange social gatherings, poetry month events throughout the community, and partnerships with other nonprofit and young professionals groups, the Young Friends promote the Library and its services and resources to new audiences. The Young Friends are wrapping up their yearly series of Halloween-themed events, FrankenSteins, on Oct. 25 with a screening of the horror classic SCREAM in the Central Library's Kirk Hall.

ABOUT THE YOUNG FRIENDS

   

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Learn more about the Friends of the Library at kclibraryfriends.org.