About The Friends

MISSION

The mission of The Friends of the Salt Lake City Public Library is to support The City Library through fundraising and advocacy.

VISION

We envision a world where the library is an active center of the community and everyone is literate with equal access to information.

FRIENDS OF THE CITY LIBRARY

For six decades, the Friends of the Salt Lake City Public Library have been forwarding initiatives to support the library system of Utah’s capital city. By spearheading fundraising efforts, volunteering, and advocacy, the Friends are a vital sister organization to The City Library. The Friends organization holds 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service.

The Friends of The City Library is a recipient of the 2010 Baker & Taylor Award from the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), for outstanding Friends organization support.

Source of Funds

The Friends primarily raise funds from three sources:

USED BOOK SALES

The Friends host two large book sales a year (April and October), a half-day sale at the Downtown Farmer’s Market, and special mini-sales throughout the year. Used materials are collected as The City Library removes items from its collection and through private donations. The Friends also sell used books through their store on their website, Etsy, and Amazon.

MEMBERSHIPS

It’s good to have a friend, and very good to BE one! The Friends of The City Library offer nine levels of annual membership. Friends’ memberships may be purchased several ways: by completing and submitting the online Membership Application; in-person at any City Library location or The Library Store; at the entrance to the Members-Only Preview Night of the April and October book sales; through the mail or via email; or over the phone by calling The Library Store at 801-524-8238.

THE BOOK NOOK

The Book Nook, owned and operated by the Friends of The City Library, provides unexpected literary-inspired gifts to suit all audiences and occasions. Look for practical, whimsical, and educational products that celebrate reading, writing, and literature. Sales benefit The City Library.

Friends of The City Library Board

The Friends of The City Library is a working board of directors

Friends Reports

Annual Reports

2021 Annual Report

2022 Annual Report

Quarterly Reports

FY 2022 – 2023 Q2 Quarterly Report

FY 2022 – 2023 Q1 Quarterly Report

History of the Friends

On March 30, 1960, library advocates in the community, including Elizabeth Montague and Corinne Sweet, organized the Friends to lead the drive for a new central library in Salt Lake City. The existing Main Library (now the O.C. Tanner Building on State Street) was built in 1905 and after 55 years was inadequate to serve the needs of the community. Through the tireless work of Montague, the Friends of the Library, and countless community supporters, a $2.5 million bond for a new building was passed with a six-to-one margin of approval.

Aside from assisting with building projects, including effort to gain funding for the current Main Library, the Friends of the Library facilitate biannual used book sales, run The Library Store gift shop, and directly support a variety of library services and programs. Today, the Friends volunteer hundreds of hours of service and donate more than $80,000 a year in support of author visits, professional development programs, publicity efforts, and more.