Library District celebrates National Friends of Libraries Week

October 17, 2023

Press release from Alachua County Library District

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – This year the Alachua County Library District will celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week from Oct. 15 to Oct. 21. The week was created by the American Library Association 18 years ago to celebrate local Friends of Libraries groups for their many contributions to library systems around the country.

Locally, in the fiscal year 2022-2023 alone, the Alachua County Friends of the Library provided $125,000 in funding to the ACLD. The money from FOL is used for local library programs, purchasing materials, providing services, and funding facility upgrades.

The FOL has funded Quiet Reading Rooms at multiple branches throughout the ACLD, including the new Quiet Reading Room at the Archer Branch. The Quite Reading Rooms provide patrons with a peaceful space to read, study, and work.

Locally, Friends of the Library, which is a nonprofit, has provided more than $5.5 million to the Library District since its creation in 1986. In addition to general donations, FOL works to empower library staff to continue their education. Over the group’s lifetime, FOL has given more than $350,000 to help fund scholarships for staff. The FOL also provides grants to other nonprofits and educational groups that enrich the cultural life of Alachua County. The all-volunteer organization raises almost all its money during its biannual book sales. The sales are held at the Book House, 430-B N. Main St. in the fall and spring. The FOL book sales are popular events and routinely draw thousands of people.

This year’s Fall Book Sale will be held Oct. 21-25, 2023.

You can support FOL and your local public library system with your donations, volunteer time, and dollars. Here’s how:

Shop: Purchase books, artwork, vinyl records, and more at the Fall Book Sale Oct. 21-25.
Join: FOL welcomes new members year-round. Annual memberships are $10 for students, $10 for seniors, $15 for individuals, and $25 for a family: folacld.org.
Volunteer: Help all year with intake and sorting donations into categories and staffing book sales. Call 352-375-1676 to leave a message for the volunteer coordinator P.J. or email folacld@bellsouth.net.
Donate: FOL accepts all categories of books, artwork, DVDs, vinyl records, puzzles, board games, and more at the Book House. Donations will be accepted following the fall book sale; please check the FOL website for details.

The ACLD also benefits from the support of Friends of Libraries groups in Micanopy, Alachua, and High Springs. These organizations enrich our communities and the Library District in many ways, including tutoring programs, volunteer hours, and donations.