The Friends of the Library Bookstore began in 2000 and is run by a team of dedicated volunteers. The bookstore is located in the lobby of Main Library. All proceeds support the purchase of new materials for the library.

Bookstore Hours
Call the bookstore at (562) 570-6415 prior to visiting to be sure it is open. We strive to be open the same hours as the library, but with an all volunteer crew, sometimes we are short on staff.

Donate to the Bookstore
You can help by donating your clean and gently used books, recent magazines, and movies. Just bring the items to the Main Library lobby, and then ask for a tax receipt if you need one. We sort and distribute donations to benefit all Long Beach Public Library locations.

Volunteer at the Bookstore
We are always looking for volunteers willing to serve one shift a week in the bookstore. If you are interested, let us know by email or phone. 

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 new Main Library and to honor Blanche Collins, the librarian who led a successful fight against censorship. Each year, the Blanche Collins Forum brings a speaker to the Main Library Auditorium.

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. The Dee Navari Storytelling Fund, administered by the Helen Fuller Cultural Carrousel, was established to honor the memory of Despoina 'Dee' Navari, one of Long Beach's most influential Children's Librarians.

Barbara Egyud Memorial Scholarship & Kenneth F. Slaybaugh Scholarship

Currently Accepting Applications!!

If you are a Long Beach Public Library employee or volunteer at any library location, you may be eligible for one of two $1,500 scholarships available this year! Help with college costs is available to high school seniors enrolled or accepted to a college, or continuing college students in any college. You must have worked or volunteered for the library for at least six months to qualify. You may apply for either the Barbara Egyud Memorial Scholarship or the Kenneth F. Slaybaugh Scholarship by printing the forms from the links and completing an application and eligibility verification form. Print applications are also available at each of our Neighborhood Libraries. 

The scholarship application deadline is March 29, 2019. The Barbara Egyud Memorial Scholarship and the Kenneth F. Slaybaugh Scholarship will be awarded at the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library Annual Meeting in May 2019.

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
101 Pacific Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90822-1097

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
101 Pacific Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90822-1097

You are invited to attend any of the Friends of the Library Board Meetings as an observer. There is a variety of opportunities to participate in the Friends’ activities - by serving as a member of the Board, assisting on a committee, helping with special events like parades or author events, working in our bookstore at the Main Library, or making use of your skills in other ways.

The Friends of the Library Board meets at 3:00 PM on the 2nd Thursday of the month.

Meetings 2018-2019

Most meetings are held at various libraries in the system, except for the annual luncheon meeting in late May and the June meeting, which is a Board potluck at a board member's home.

We do not hold meetings in July or August.

Elected Officers 
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: Patricia Benoit)

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

Program Chair
Is in charge of special programs. (Currently: Lisa Moore)

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: Barbara Sosa)

Treasurer
Has custody of all funds, except those of standing committees; maintains a book of accounts; with a committee, prepares an annual budget to submit to the Board for approval; gives a financial report at each regular Board meeting; 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: Jan Jackson)

Elected Directors of Standing Committees 
elected to two-year, staggered terms

Blanche Collins Forum
Using a special endowment fund, each year arranges to bring a speaker of renown to an event at the Main Library Auditorium. (Currently: Janeice McConnell)

Book Store Chair
Arranges for staffing and operations of the Book Store at Main Library; coordinates the monthly Silent Auction. (Currently: Beverly Stunden)

Helen Fuller Cultural Carrousel *
Distributes money from a large endowment to children’s programs throughout the library system; also administers the Dee Navari Storytelling Fund. (Currently: Ashleigh Ruhl)

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

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

Public Relations
Develops publicity for all Friends special events and updates Facebook page. (Currently: Co-chairs Sharon Abar and Caroline Martin)

Appointed Members-at-Large  
Three or more, appointed by President with Board approval; serve the Board in a variety of capacities, as needed. (Currently: Carol Collins, Annette Gordon, Barbara Hubbs)

Appointed Chairpersons
Appointed by President with Board approval.

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: Lisa Moore)

Memorial Books
Arranges book purchases from special memorial donations. (Currently: Sandra Kroll)

Newsletter
Produces and organizes the mailing of the thrice-yearly newsletters that is mailed to all members, as well as to various public officials. (Currently: Barbara McPherson)

Nomination Committee *
Committee of 3, including at least one past president; appointed by 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)

Website Liaison, Facebook & Membership Database
Serves as clearinghouse for changes to website; responsible for updating membership database and Constant Contact. (Currently: Caroline Martin)

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

If interested in joining the Friend of the Library Board, please contact us.

* Denotes head of a committee.

Read the Winter 2019 Newsletter.

Friends of the Long Beach Public Library
101 Pacific Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90822-1097

Contact Us by Email.

Join Our Email List. 

Follow the Friends on Facebook.