Friends of the Seattle Public Library

Mission

The Friends of The Seattle Public Library is a non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to promoting our Library as an essential institution of society and supporting its mission and vision. Our volunteer members advocate for and educate about literacy in the community.

Description

The Friends of The Seattle Public Library, a grassroots community organization, have been proud to connect books with students in low-resource settings in local public schools for more than a decade. This year we are raising money to expand the range of books we can provide and who we can give books to. Help us raise $10,000 to share the love of books and reading with children and young people in our community. 

Your $20 donation will pay for several new books, your $100 donation will pay for enough books for a class, and your $1000 donation will greatly impact the books we can offer across one school.

Our History

In 1941, community volunteers formed a group to help celebrate the value of The Seattle Public Library to local government and taxpayers, and to promote literacy in the greater Seattle area. This new group, The Friends of The Seattle Public Library, planned luncheons, dances, contests, drawings, book donations, and other events to encourage public engagement. Eighty years on, and two Central buildings later, The Friends are still working to support the Library and the people in its communities.

Some of our work through the years:

FIRST LIBRARY CARD PROGRAM
Providing tote bags to celebrate our youngest patrons

BOOKS FOR TEACHERS PROGRAM
In partnership with the Renee B. Fisher Foundation and Ballard Elks, providing materials to teachers at Title I schools

COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAM
Providing thousands of books to community organizations who benefit from having books available to their communities

GRANTS TO SPL
Supporting our shared goals. Some past grants have supported the The McKinney Collection, Map laminations, and The Seattle Room Collection

ADVOCACY WORK
To pass levy measures and engage with the community and elected officials to provide the funding necessary for SPL to do its work

HOSTING AUTHOR EVENTS
Our most recent events featured local authors Tae Keller (2021 Newberry Medal winner), Lauren Ko of @Lokokitchen fame, and Jennifer Ott of HistoryLink.org

We invite you to support us in whatever way you can. We suggest a donation of $20, $50, or $100, but your contribution of ANY amount will be greatly appreciated!

Be a part of our work!