The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is an independent, nonprofit organization that acts as a catalyst for libraries to strengthen and inspire their communities.
Even in a city that loves its libraries, public funding isn’t enough for libraries to provide all the important resources that residents seek. The Library, part of the City of Saint Paul, depends on The Friends to support those resources. The Friends invests in libraries through fundraising, advocacy, and programming because we believe that libraries are essential to strong communities.
Click here to read our strategic plan.
Here's How We Invest
Advocacy
The Friends advocates for the Library by engaging citizens and elected officials to support and sustain public investment in the Library.
Click here to learn more about our work and about how you can get involved at the city, state, and national levels.
Fundraising
We raise funds from thousands of supporters so that the library can offer inspiration, information, and space for people of every age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background.
Programming
The Friends connects people to libraries through programs for readers and writers. For more than 25 years, we have offered programs that entertain, enrich, and nourish curious minds.
Our events are always open to the public and most are free. You can make an investment in the library simply by joining us at one of our upcoming programs.
Consulting
We share our expertise in the field through our consulting services, Library Strategies Consulting Group.
Library Strategies partners with library organizations nationally and internationally to cultivate their potential so that they can better serve and strengthen their communities.
History of The Friends
The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library was originally created in 1945 by then Library Director Perrie Jones. The initial membership fee was $1. Today The Friends is a $3 million organization whose mission is to “act as a catalyst for libraries to strengthen and inspire their communities,” serving libraries locally and nationally.
The Friends is the Center for the Book in Minnesota, designated by the Library of Congress. The Center for the Book is a national initiative established in 1977 to promote reading, literacy, libraries, as well as the scholarly study of books. All 50 states, plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, have a designated Center for the Book.
The Friends was honored with this distinction largely because of the success of our statewide programs, including the Minnesota Book Awards. As Minnesota’s Center for the Book, The Friends produces dynamic programming that benefits all ages and reaches all corners of the state.