Friends of the London Public Library is a volunteer organization that provides community support for our library system in London.

Our Mandate

• to advocate on behalf of the Library
• to raise funds which enhance Library programs and collections.

Friends of the London Public Library celebrated its 20th anniversary in September 2013. During those 20 years Friends has raised more than 1.18 million dollars, funding that provides value-added enhancements to the Library's programs and services.

LPL Annual Fall Book Sale, 2013

The book sale has wrapped up for another year. Thank you to all of you who made it a success once again by coming out to browse and shop. Check back later in 2014 for information on next year's book sale.

News

Friends' Volunteer Appreciation

Friends of the Library held their volunteer recognition event for Library Store volunteers on December 9. The Library Store couldn't run without the volunteers who work behind the counter and behind the scenes sorting, shelving and selling books. Library staff who work with the Friends were on hand to express their appreciation along with Friends executive members who hosted the event.

Friends Donate $100,000 to the Library

Friends of the London Public Library presented a cheque for $100,000 to Josh Morgan, Chair of the Library Board, and Susannah Hubbard Krimmer, CEO of the Library, at the Library Board meeting on November 28, 2013. Donations made to the Library by the Friends are used to provide enhancements to Library programs, collections and services. In 2013, Friends of the London Public Library donated $180,000 to the Library.

Friend of the Year 2013: The Book Store at Western

Photo: staff from the Book Store at Western (left to right): Lotte Huxley,

Jane Doran (holding photo of Fran Hardman), Pam Kenward and Stephen Cribar.

Friends of the London Public Library chose the Book Store at Western as their 2013 Friend of the Year in recognition of their support for the A Book For Every Child® campaign. The book store staff, past and present, have participated since 1995 by raising funds in various ways and providing boxes of books for the campaign. Many thanks to some very special people for contributing so much over the years.

Friends Donate $25,000 to the Library

Members of the Friends’ Executive presented Josh Morgan, Chair of Library Board with a cheque for $25,000 at its meeting Sept 20. With these funds, several services and programs focusing on children literacy will be enhanced. Also, the Library will be purchasing Books on CD for Visiting Library Patrons. This donation will also enhance the number of titles available in the very popular Book Club in a Bag program.  And, Computer Classes for Seniors will now be offered in several locations.

This year, Friends has donated $121,100 to support non-core service enhancements. This will continue to balance the principle of the Friends’ funding non-core service enhancements with the need for support of library services and strategic initiatives.

2012 Friends of the Year

At the Annual General Meeting Sept 18, 2012, Don Menard received the Friend of the Year Award for 2012. He is shown with his wife, Fran, and his grandson, Damien.

Don has been the man behind the annual Book Sale since 2004. As Book Sale Coordinator, Don is responsible for the overall event, starting with the collection of materials and sorting at the Byron warehouse and at the Central Library sorting room, throughout the year. In addition, he ensures that preparation for the actual sale goes smoothly, including getting approximately 55 pallets of materials to Western Fair and the materials displayed appropriately. All of this requires numerous volunteers, and most of them know Don. In 2011, he also oversaw the renovation and reorganization of the Byron warehouse.

The annual Book Sale would not be the success it has become; indeed it might not even be a continuing event without Don’s leadership during the past several years.  Congratulations, Don; you are undeniably the Friend of the Year.

Speaking with Friends

As part of the Speaking With Friends series, London award-winning author, Bonnie Burnard, was welcomed on October 3, following the Annual General Meeting. The audience was treated to a fine reading from her book, “The Good House”, which won the Giller prize in 1999. She graciously answered questions which made for a most enjoyable evening. Following the reading, Friends hosted a reception, Oxford Books provided books for purchase, and Ms. Burnard was available for an autograph session. Proceeds from the event went to children and youth literacy programs at the London Public Library.