Who are we?

View Some Key Differences between Friends and the Library Foundation here

Library Friends of San Diego County

The relationship between the San Diego County Library and its Friends groups is unique to most library systems.  Friends of the Library groups, represented at thirty (30) of the San Diego County Library (SDCL) branches, drive programs and are invaluable in raising funds. Their focus is day to day support of their individual branches, supplementing their branch library resources, and advocating for the library within their communities.

The Library Friends of San Diego County (LFSDC) brings together those individual Friends groups under one umbrella organization so they can meet, share and learn new ways to grow and thrive, and at the same time advise and manage the Library Foundation of San Diego County.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Bob Masters (Poway)
Vice President: Maureen Phillips (Descanso)
Treasurer: Leslie Ward (Lakeside, Fletcher Hills)
Secretary: Cheryl Cosart  (Santee)
Corresponding Secretary: Vacant
County Library Representative:  SDCL Director Migell Acosta
Representative San Diego Public Library Friends: Vacant

What We Do

ADVOCACY

Library Friends serve as SDCL’s greatest advocates. The Friends not only raise money to improve services at the branches, but also provide invaluable contributions by advocating on behalf of SDCL to the community and elected officials.

BUILDINGS and MORE

Library Friends of San Diego County support capital projects by fundraising to purchase technology, furniture, fixtures, and equipment for new buildings and remodelling projects outside of its budget.

PROGRAMS and EVENTS

SDCL ranked 4th in the nation in terms of number of programs offered each year!  With everything from crafts to exercise programs to author visits, the Library Friends support the library’s mission to inform, educate, inspire, and entertain all ages.

COLLECTIONS

Funds raised by the Library Friends contribute to the purchase of library materials, including books and ebooks.

SUPPORT FOR THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY GROUPS

Library Friends groups are invaluable to meet the needs of their communities and face challenges not unlike other community groups.  Library Friends provides a venue for the individual Friends groups to partner, to share information, and assist branches who do not have Friends groups.

How do we do this?

LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Library Friends and the Advisory Board of the Library Foundation of San Diego County oversee the activities and public and privately endowed funds of the Library Foundation of San Diego County.  

LIBRARY FRIENDS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY NON-ENDOWED FUND (Operational Fund)

Funds raised by the Library Friends Non-Endowed or Operational Fund (See Get Involved for more details) are used to conduct  Friends groups quarterly Membership and Booksellers groups meetings, hold special meetings and events with topics that can benefit Friends groups such as sustainability, strategies for member and volunteer recruitment, compliance with nonprofit requirements, fundraising ideas.  The fund also provides financial assistance and organizational support to branches that have limited resources or no Friends group.

Through these dedicated uses, the Library Friends Non-Endowed Fund strengthens the network of Friends groups and helps each branch meet its unique challenges and goals.

REPRESENTATION AT QUARTERLY MEMBERSHIP AND BOOKSELLERS MEETINGS

Each Friends group representing a library branch is encouraged to designate both a Representative and an Alternate to participate in the quarterly Membership and Booksellers business meetings of the Library Friends. These designated individuals serve as voting members during the meetings, ensuring that the interests and perspectives of their respective branches are formally represented in decision-making processes.

While Representatives and Alternates are responsible for voting, the quarterly meetings remain open to all members of the Friends groups. This inclusive approach allows any interested Friends member to attend, engage in discussions, and stay informed about the activities and initiatives of Library Friends, fostering transparency and collaboration among all branches.

For a list of Friends of the Library Groups in San Diego County, click here.