WELCOME TO THE FRIENDS OF THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY
Advocating for and supporting our libraries since 1963
What's new
Friends of the Long Beach Public Library
Who We Are
Our Mission
Our Mission
The Friends of the Long Beach Public Library is an all-volunteer, non-profit membership organization open to all. The Friends organization was founded in 1963 when a concerned group of citizens joined forces with City Librarian Blanche Collins to battle the City Council for the right of librarians to make book-buying decisions for the Cit
The Friends of the Long Beach Public Library is an all-volunteer, non-profit membership organization open to all. The Friends organization was founded in 1963 when a concerned group of citizens joined forces with City Librarian Blanche Collins to battle the City Council for the right of librarians to make book-buying decisions for the City of Long Beach library system.
We are governed by a Board of Directors consisting of eight elected officers, members-at-larger, and standing committee. Board meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month except summer.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
We work to preserve the public library as a place of intellectual freedom and to guard against censorship. We advocate for a strong public library system by keeping informed and acting on current issues that affect our library. We help build community awareness and enthusiasm for LBPL services, programs, and needs. Membership dues and don
We work to preserve the public library as a place of intellectual freedom and to guard against censorship. We advocate for a strong public library system by keeping informed and acting on current issues that affect our library. We help build community awareness and enthusiasm for LBPL services, programs, and needs. Membership dues and donated book and media sales provide materials, support summer reading programs, provide cultural and literary events for the community, and help fund training for library staff.
What We Do
Our Mission
What We Do
The Friends contribute to the quality and success of the library’s services and program’s in many ways:
• Advocating for increased community awareness of the resources, services and needs of the Long Beach Public Libraries.
• Accepting donations of gently-used books, CDs, and other book related media for sale at our Bookshop at the Billi
The Friends contribute to the quality and success of the library’s services and program’s in many ways:
• Advocating for increased community awareness of the resources, services and needs of the Long Beach Public Libraries.
• Accepting donations of gently-used books, CDs, and other book related media for sale at our Bookshop at the Billie Jean King Main Library and at bookracks at each neighborhood branch library.
• Managing the Memorial Book Fund for donations to the library system in memory of loved ones.
• Making an annual donation to each individual neighborhood branch library for their discretionary use.
• Administering an annual summer reading essay contest.
• Awarding annual scholarships for Library employees and volunteers continuing their higher education.
BOOKSHOP AND BOOK/MEDIA SALES
Bookshop at BJK Main Library
The Bookshop at the BJK Main Library is open! Find gently-used books, DVDs, and CDs at great prices. The Bookshop is located on the 1st floor, just to the left of the main door off Broadway. Check it out!
We use an Honor Box for payment, so be sure to bring cash or a check.
Neighborhood Branch Library Book Sales
Every neighborhood library has a Friends book sales rack where books and media donated by the local community and media are displayed for sale. Sales are on the honor system. A price list is posted on the book rack and a donation box where patrons deposit the price of their sale.
Funds are collected by the Friends and donated directly to the library to help pay for special programs and books.
Book and Media Donations
Thank you Long Beach community for your generous book and media donations! The generosity of the community allows our book sales to help support the library’s summer reading programs, provide cultural and literary events for the community, and fund training for library staff.
The Friends also run online book sales of rare and collectable donated books. A link to online sales coming soon.
JOIN US! Become a Friend of the Long Beach Public Library
Becoming a member supports our Long Beach community. And if you're interested in participating, we're always looking for people to join the board, work on a special committee, or help at special events. Please visit our Membership Opportunities page for payment options. Your membership card will be mailed to you.
meet our board
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Friends of the Long Beach Public Library are governed by a Board of Directors consisting of eight elected officers, members-at-larger, and standing committee chairs as required.
Board meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month except July and August.
ELECTED OFFICIALS
- President - Barbara Sosa
- Vice-President, Membership - Arlene Gale
- Vice-President, Programs - Lisa Moore
- Treasurer - Carol Quinlan & Sydney Simon
- Recording Secretary - Ellen Butler & Dawn Mendelson
- Corresponding Secretary - Carol Quinlan
- Director, Blanche Collins Forum - Jess Baker
- Director, Helen Fuller Cultural Carrousel - Vacant
STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS
- Advocacy & Legislation - Carol Quinlan
- Banned Books - Ellen Butler
- Barbara Egyud Scholarship - Vacant
- Bookshop and Sales - Caroline Martin
- Hospitality - Patricia Benoit
- Memorial Books - Jan Jackson
- Newsletter - Diane Riska-Taylor
- Public Relations & Data Processing - Caroline Martin