Friends of the Library was founded in 1982 and later incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1983. At the time of its establishment, the County Executive, Library Board, and Library Director provided much encouragement and approval of its efforts to fundraise for special purposes “to make a good library system great.” Such support was apart from the basic services that had been firmly determined as the responsibility of the Montgomery County government. The initial membership and publicity drive was funded by grants from local private corporations.
Over the years, the Friends has grown from a volunteer-driven organization that operated an annual book sale held in a bookmobile located at Rockville Library, to full-scale bookstore operation with professional staff supported by more than 100 community leaders and volunteers. In addition, the Friends has expanded to fund several community projects, including literary and scholarship programs and provide increased opportunities for citizen philanthropic participation to benefit the public library system.
Still today, the Friends proudly maintains our mission “to strengthen, promote, support and advocate for the public library system in order to enrich the lives of our residents and meet the diverse needs of our communities.” This role is intended to complement the combined efforts of Montgomery County Public Libraries, the Library Board and the Library Advisory Committees by providing program support, matching funds and specific materials and equipment to augment public monies appropriated for a quality public library system.