Friends of the Free Library belong to independent, non-profit neighborhood groups of supporters who help the Library in many ways. This year, many Friends wrote letters urging restoration of full funding for the State’s libraries; and 55 of them joined 600 other Pennsylvanians in Harrisburg, where they personally explained to legislators how devastating a funding cut would be.

At local libraries, Friends groups help to plan, publicize, and raise funds for programs and special collection development, as well as tend gardens, assist with LEAP, etc. Last spring, Friends sponsored Open House/Membership Drive events at the Whitman, Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional, Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Charles Durham, Kensington, and Ogontz libraries. Several Friends groups sponsored neighborhood poetry readings this year; and in early spring, events related to One Book, One Philadelphia kept many Friends groups hopping.