Who We Are/What We Do

The Friends of the Ashland Public Library was incorporated in Oregon in 1983 and  received 501(c).3 nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service in 1998.

Our Mission

The purpose of the Friends of the Ashland Public Library is to support the mission of the Ashland Public Library and the Jackson County Library District through fundraising, volunteerism, and advocacy.

Fundraising

In addition to members’ dues and donations, our main fundraising activity is the ongoing book sale in the library lobby.

Here are some examples of the ways we put your membership dues and donations to work for the library and the community:

• Support summer reading for children, teens, and adults. Every summer, hundreds sign up for this program that fosters lifelong learning and fun; the Friends supply books and prizes for participants.
• Sponsor programs for all ages: book clubs, crafts, music, take-and-make kits, games, and more.
• Support the Ashland Reads program that puts books in the hands of every Ashland first-grader.
• Provide funding for the ongoing renovations of the Ashland Public Library.

Volunteerism 

Our volunteers operate the ongoing book sale in the library and help with library special events. The all-volunteer Board of Directors manages Friends’ projects and safeguards the effective use and investment of its financial resources. For more information on volunteering, please contact us. There are also volunteer opportunities through the Jackson County Library Services volunteer program.

Advocacy

Throughout our history, the Friends have advocated for the library. For example, the Friends worked tirelessly to reopen the libraries during the closure crisis, and we were advocates for the successful 2014 “Libraries for All” campaign to form a separate library taxing district to secure the libraries’ future. We also have an active liaison to the Ashland Chamber of Commerce.