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About the Friends

The Friends is a group of volunteers dedicated to supporting the Austin Public Library.
Our purpose is to increase the number of Austin citizens who take a profound interest in the Library's activities, to promote reading and literacy in the community, and to raise awareness of the Library's digital resources. This nonprofit organization:

• Encourages all citizens to use the libraries
• Supports library programs and activities
• Promotes reading and literacy through the Friends' Quarter-a-Box Program
• Fosters early reading skills through the Friends' Raise a Reader Program
• Supports policy changes and funding initiatives that strengthen Austin's libraries

Who Are Friends of the Austin Public Library?

The Austin Public Library is an important part of Austin's culture and heritage. Members of the Friends of the Austin Public Library give their support so Austin's libraries can continue to provide quality resources to the local community and citizens at large.

The Friends organization was established in 1962 and since then we've been participating in many activities to help our library. Best known is probably the processing and sale of used books to provide additional funds for materials, operations and programs. We also hold events, provide literacy materials and spread information about available services. 

Good Friends are hard to find... that's why the Friends of the Austin Public need you!

Please Join Us!

The Friends group works to help the Austin Public Library continue to bring quality education and inspiration to the Austin community. If you're a person who enjoys what the library has to offer and wants to help promote what they do, please become a member.

As a member of the Friends of the Austin Public Library, you'll get:

• Timely announcements about book signings and many other library-related events 
• The Friends' quarterly newsletter, to keep you up to date on Friends' activities
• The wonderful feeling that comes with supporting something you really care about

When you join the Friends of the Austin Public Library you don't have to volunteer, but when you do you get much more than a great feeling inside.

Volunteer as a Library Ambassador! You’ll attend library events of your choice and provide information about the ways being a Friends member supports the Austin Public Library. It’s a great way to show your support while strengthening our organization.

Become a Friends volunteer and process books for Recycled Reads, the Friends and APL book store opening in the fall of 2008. Help your local branch library by sorting and shelving books, answering phones, reading to kids, or teaching a class, just to name a few possibilities.

Be an advisor to or serve on the Friends Board. Your help, in any form, will be greatly appreciated. The Friends and the Austin Public Library have special ways of ensuring that volunteer work is NOT a thankless job! Visit the volunteer page for more information. 

Join the Friends of the Austin Public Library today!