The Friends of the Arcadia Public Library is a 501 (c)(3) public charitable organization that provides funding and support for the Library through the operation of their Bookstore, facilitation of special books sales, and acceptance of membership dues. Friends of the Library funding helps support the Library’s annual summer reading program, enhance the Library’s books and materials collections, provide civic interest events, and much more!
Click HERE for the Friends of the Library Newsletter!
BECOMING A MEMBER
The Friends welcome new members. Your membership will help the Library meet important community needs and support the City’s essential resource for literacy, research, and lifelong learning. Memberships are available for individuals, families, and businesses.
As a member you will receive:
- A 10% discount at the Friends Bookstore
- Invitations to special events and author receptions
- A copy of the quarterly published “Among Friends” newsletter
- Tax deductions on your membership and donation
THE FRIENDS' BOOKSTORE
The Friends’ Bookstore is located near the Library’s front entrance and open Monday through Saturday.
The Bookstore’s shelves are filled with books for kids, teens, and adults. All materials are in good condition and sold at bargain prices. All proceeds raised through Bookstore sales are donated to the Library.
Use this “Be a Friend of the Arcadia Public Library” brochure to become a Friends member.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The Friends of the Arcadia Public Library were founded in May 1956 with a charter membership of 63. The American Association of University Women sponsored the group and on May 29, 1956 a tea was held to introduce the new organization to the community.
The Friends established traditions of providing interesting programs and giving the Library much needed items that the operating budget could not cover. John Henderson of the Los Angeles County Public Library system presented the Friends’ first program on October 28, 1956. On February 21, 1957 the first gift was given to the Library: A Califone record player.
In 1960, Cay Mortenson established the first annual used book sale, which netted $447. The Library’s Auditorium is named in Mortenson’s honor to recognize her dedicated efforts in organizing these book sales. Volunteers spent countless hours sorting, pricing and packing boxes of books. Each year, through 1994, volunteers would then unpack the books and organize them into categories on tables in the Auditorium. According to an essay entitled “Twice-Sold Tales: Library Support From the Friends” written by Doris and Jerry Selmer and published in Visions of Arcadia: A Centennial Anthology edited by Gary Kovacic, the final sale raised $10,782. A total of approximately $163,000 was raised from all the annual sales.
In October of 1996, the Friends’ bookstore opened in the newly remodeled Library and operates six days a week. A dedicated core of volunteers continues to sort and price donated books to stock Bookstore shelves and another group staffs the store. In May 2021, the Friends celebrated their 65th anniversary.
Over the years, contributions from the Friends have paid for children and teens programming and allowed the Library to add many interesting books materials to its collection. Without the generosity and hard work of the Friends, the Arcadia Public Library would not be what it is today.
