Friends Quick links
Friends President -
Newsletter Editors:
Circulation Manager - Francenia Wilson
Membership Chair -
Library Staff Liaison - 507.328.2343
Friends' History
February 14, 1950 - The City of Rochester held an election to propose a boost in the library mill tax from two to three. “It is ridiculous to expect the library board to operate the library without adequate funds,” stated Mayor Claude H. McQuillan.
In preparation for this election, a group of citizens decided to campaign for the increase. Monday, September 26, 1949 is recorded as the first Friends of the Library meeting. The task of the 120 members was to make the library’s needs known to the public. They put many ads in the Post Bulletin urging the public to vote YES to the amendment. The amendment passed: 2,766 Yes, 1,165 No.
Sunday, September 20, 2009, the Friends of the Library celebrated 60 years of supporting the library. Throughout the years they have contributed both financial and volunteer support to make this library what it is today.
Currently, the Friends raise money by:
• membership contributions
• five large book sales a year
• Friends of the Library bookstore
• Rare and Unusual book sales
• Amazon.com sales
• ink cartridge recycling
The money that they raise is given to the library to expand collections and programs. Last year they donated $50,000 to the library’s gift fund. In addition they also helped finance library programs and projects. This money also helps finance special Friends initiatives.
The Read With Me program is one of these: the mother of each baby born in Rochester receives a book and information about the library.
The Friends participate in “Operation Paperback,” a program that sends donated books to our troops.
Recently, the Friends became involved with “United Through Reading®” a military program that helps ease the stress of separation for military families by having deployed parents read children’s books aloud via DVD for their child to watch at home.
Last year the Friends funded the purchase of some new display racks for Children’s magazines, the registration table near the Public Service Desk, and more. They fund the Visiting Author Series and prizes for the Children’s Summer Reading program.
The Friends not only provide financial support, but also many volunteer hours. Last year 392 volunteers logged in over 17,000 hours.
Shirley Edmonson, past Friends president states, “Through the volunteer commitment of people in Olmsted County, the Friends have provided sixty years of continuous support to the Rochester Public Library. The people of Olmsted County are very generous in donating books for both the Library and for the Friends to sell. We are proud to help with both money and time and look forward to a long relationship with the Library.”
For more information about the Friends, visit www.rochesterpubliclibrary.org/friends.
1953
The Friends raised money for an outdoor book drop. It was installed in front of the library building on the corner of Third Avenue and Second Street SW.
2010
The Friends funded the purchase of new Internet tables in the Children's Area.