Who are the Friends?
Friends are public spirited residents of the public library community who want to insure that this public institution remains one for everyone’s needs for finding information, for consumers of books and other media materials, for enhancing education of all ages and levels of patrons, for enriching cultural experiences, for a place to relax and enjoy oneself among like-minded folk. We strive for improving community harmony by providing the best public resources available, nurturing book lovers, and promoting literacy.
What do the Friends do?
A primary activity of the members is to raise money as a not-for-profit institution. The funds are spent entirely to supplement the limited, tax-based budget that is controlled by the State of Indiana and the current tax laws. View the Friends of the West Lafayette Public Library Constitution and By-Laws.
How do I contact the Friends?
USPS Address
Friends of the West Lafayette Public Library
208 West Columbia Street
West Lafayette, Indiana 47906
Email
friends@wlaf.lib.in.us
How does the Friends organization raise its money?
We raise money directly from our membership and through fundraising programs such as our annual Book Fairs.
The materials used in these programs are donated by the community or through Library discards at WLPL.
Who decides how to spend its funds?
The governing body of the Friends is the executive council, who meets once a month at least eight times a year to conduct the Friends business.
At each monthly meeting the Library Director, and possibly one or more Library staff members, attend the meeting to present to the council their suggestions for programs, purchases, activities, etc., for discussion and approval or not. All of these meeting are open to the entire membership.
Everyone can also utilize the microgrant program to facilitate funding programs that directly help our Library and Community.
What have the Friends funded?
Here is a brief list of Friends support that relied on expenditures not dependent on tax-generated dollars:
- Establishing the Library Foundation, which made the new Library building a possibility
- Supporting programs such as
- The children’s summer reading activities and puppet shows
- The outreach delivery to community members and assisted living facilities
- Partnering Library activities with
- Celebrating all the Library volunteers with an appreciation luncheon
- The City of West Lafayette (e.g. Global Fest)
- The Morton Community Center (Walla, Films and Friends)
- Local schools (from infants to PhDs!)
- Bringing Arts to the Library
- Buying Books, reference materials, CDs, DVDs, audio and video tapes, maps, sheet music, magazines, high and low tech equipment, supplies, furniture, and toys, security services.
Anything else?
Another mission of the Friends is to make the Library an environment where community members find opportunities to help others.
Many of the necessary Library services and tasks would not be possible without the generous volunteerism and dedication donated by the Friends of the Library.