According to United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association, "Friends of Libraries groups have their very own national week of celebration! United for Libraries will coordinate the 20th annual National Friends of Libraries Week, October 19-25, 2025."
Friends of the Library groups operate independently from the libraries they support. They generously give their time and energy to planning and hosting events, such as book sales. Funds from events such as these support activities like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and the Summer Reading Program.
Many communities throughout the Great River Regional Library have Friends of the Library groups to support branch library programming needs. Friends can play many roles:
- Generate local funding support
- Preserve the branch library's local history
- Advocate at the state level for library services
- Recognize local volunteers
Often a member-based organization, Friends groups conduct their own fundraising activities, such as bake sales and seasonal book sales.
Please contact your nearby branch library for information about Friends groups in your area.