Our Billie Jean King Main Library Bookstore is closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. We may be open in January, but with a strictly drop-your-payment-in-the-Honor-Box system, rather than staffing the bookstore with volunteers.

Donations of books, DVDs and CDs are currently not possible

Currently we are unable to accept donated books. We don’t know when accepting donations will be feasible, but hope it will happen in 2021. If possible, please hold onto your donations and check this page for updates after January 2021.

If you donate somewhere else, we understand and thank you for thinking of us. Please check with your local bookstores to see if they are accepting books or contact Re-Book It https://www.rebookit.org (an arm of The Last Bookstore in LA).

If you do hold onto books, please keep the following considerations in mind:

Your donation is tax-deductible and helps to provide critical support to the Long Beach Public Libraries. Proceeds go towards new materials at the branches.

When we open, we will accept the following gently used items:

• Books
• Media including: DVDs, CDs, audio books on CD, video games, LPs
• Current magazines and calendars

We will not accept:

• Moldy, wet, torn, yellowed or damaged books
• Out-of-date encyclopedias, textbooks, computer books (2016 and older)
• VHS tapes
• Library discards– other than Children’s, Young Adult, & Large Print
• All Books on Tape and Cassettes
• Newspapers and pamphlets

Why are we selective about free materials?
The time to go through donated materials to evaluate and process materials and the allocation of space for storage of items is considerable. Ask yourself before you donate – would you purchase that book or item at a used book store?

Questions? Contact us at lb.libraryfriends@gmail.co

These projects are possible because of your donations. Anyone may donate – you do not have to be a member of the Friends. You may designate your donation to be split among projects. Friends are not required to donate; only to pay yearly membership dues.

Memorial Books
Create a lasting memorial to a family member or friend. Memorial Books have special book plates bearing the name of the person memorialized and are listed in the Friends newsletter. For memorial books or materials, send a donation and include the name of the person memorialized, along with contact information for the family. We will inform them that you have made a donation and then consult with them about materials to purchase and to which library they’d like the materials sent.

Honor Books
Give a book to the library as a way of honoring someone, to mark a special occasion, or in appreciation of a particular kindness. Honor Books are selected by librarians, given special book plates with the name of the person honored, and then made available in libraries where they are most needed. Honor Books are also listed in the Friends newsletter. Honor Books may also be purchased on behalf of each "Super Friend", someone who contributes $100 or more in his/her membership.
For Honor Books, send a donation and include the name and contact information for the person honored. We will inform the honoree of your donation to the library.

Blanche Collins Forum
The Blanche Collins Forum was established in 1977 to celebrate the opening of the Main Library and to honor Blanche Collins, the librarian who led a successful fight against censorship. The Blanche Collins Forum regularly brings a speaker to the community. Past speakers include Dr. Sally Ride, Ed Begley, Jr., Judith Viorst, Father Gregory Boyle, Ray Bradbury, and  Lisa See.

Helen Fuller Cultural Carrousel
The Helen Fuller Cultural Carrousel is a committee of the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library. Named in honor of Helen Fuller, Supervisor of Long Beach Public Library Children's Services for 40 years, the Carrousel provides book-related programs for children. 

Barbara Egyud Memorial Scholarships
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic our scholarship program is on hold. We hope to start the program in January when the library is currently expected to open, but nothing is certain at this time. Check back here January 2021 for any updates. Typically the requirements include an application, essay and eligibility verification form.

Sending Donations
Donations are tax-deductible. The acknowledgment we send serves as a receipt for tax purposes. Thank you for your donation.

The Friends of the Long Beach Public Library
200 W. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802-4433

Join us! We're always looking for people to join the board, work on a special committee, volunteer in the bookstore, or help at special events.

To join, please print and complete the membership application and mail or return it to:

Friends of the Long Beach Public Library
200 W Broadway
Long Beach CA 90802-4433

Due to Covid-19 all board meetings are now done via tele-conferencing. If you wish to attend as an observer, please send an email to lb.libraryfriends@gmail.com a week in advance of the scheduled meeting.

The Friends of the Library Board meets at 4:00 PM on the 2nd Thursday of the month.

• Nov 12, 2020
• Dec 10, 2020
• Jan 14, 2021
• Feb 11, 2021
• March 11, 2021
• April 8, 2021
• May 13, 2021
• June 10, 2021

We do not meet in July or August.

Elected Officers & Directors
Elected to two-year, staggered terms

President
Presides over Board meetings; President or Treasurer signs checks; with Board approval, appoints all Committee Chairs; is ex-officio member of all committees except Nominating; may authorize disbursement of funds with ratification by Board. (Currently:  Barbara Sosa)

Vice President - Membership
Performs duties of President during President's absence; is responsible for memberships and renewals and for maintaining membership roster. (Currently:  Arlene Gale)

Vice President - Programs  
Is in charge of special programs and the Annual Luncheon. (Currently: Lisa Moore)

Recording Secretary
Keeps minutes of all general meetings and all Board meetings; assists in such notifications as may be necessary, as requested by the President. (Currently:  Sharon Abar)

Treasurer
Has custody of all funds, except those of standing committees; maintains a book of accounts; prepares an annual budget to submit to the Board for approval; gives a financial report at each regular Board meeting; works with bookkeeper for accounts and taxes; Treasurer or President signs all checks, keeping a record of them. (Currently:  Doris Soriano)

Corresponding Secretary
Sends informal correspondences as directed by the President or Treasurer. (Currently: Carol Collins)

Blanche Collins Forum
Using a special endowment fund, each year arranges to bring a speaker of renown to the community. (Currently:  OPEN)

Helen Fuller Cultural Carrousel *
Distributes money from a large endowment to children’s programs throughout the library system;  manages the annual Essay Contest for children.  (Currently:  Ashleigh Ruhl)

Appointed Chairs

Historian
Maintains and collects historical record and documents concerning the Friends. (Currently: Juliet Ebner)

Honor Books
Arranges book purchases from special “honor” donations, and on behalf of Super Friends - membership at $100 level or higher. (Currently: Linda Bresnan)

Hospitality
Arranges social details for Friends special events. (Currently:  Patricia Benoit)

Legislation
Reports to the Board on legislative issues of concern to libraries, at the local, state and national level. (Currently: Carol Quinlan)

Memorial Books
Arranges book purchases from special memorial donations. (Currently:  Janet Jackson)

Newsletter
Produces and organizes the mailing of the newsletters that is mailed to all members. (Currently:  Diane Riska-Taylor)

Nomination Committee *
Committee of three, including at least one past president; elects its own chair; each year meets to nominate officers to fill positions that will be vacant. (Currently: Marie Treadwell)

Parades
Arranges for local Long Beach parades Friends’ participation. (Currently: OPEN)

Public Relations
Develops publicity for Friends special events, coordinates updates for the website and manages our Facebook page. (Currently: Co-chairs Sharon Abar and Caroline Martin)

Appointed Members-at-Large  
Three or more, appointed by the President; serve the Board in a variety of capacities, as needed. (Currently:  Elizabeth Andrew, Ellen Butler, Dawn Mendelson, Jo Rae Zuckerman)

Ex-Officio Members
Director of Library Services: Glenda Williams, Director.
Past Presidents of the Friends of the Library: Tamara Achauer, Elizabeth Andrew, Patricia Benoit, Margaret Durnin, Kathy DeSilva, Marilyn Larson, Jerry Loeb, Bernice Van Steenbergen, Marie Treadwell, and Jo Rae Zuckerman.

If interested in joining the Friends of the Library Board, please email us at lb.libraryfriends@gmail.com

Read the Fall 2020 Newsletter

Read the Winter 2020 Newsletter.

Read the Fall 2019 Newsletter.

Read the Spring 2019 Newsletter.

Friends of the Long Beach Public Library
200 W Broadway
Long Beach CA 90802-4433

Contact us by email at lb.libraryfriends@gmail.com.

Join Our Email List. 

Follow the Friends on Facebook.