Friends of the Library
Check out this amazing Other Paper article about the Friends!
About the Friends
Since 1973, the Friends of the South Burlington Public Library have been at work behind the scenes, actively supporting the staff, programs, events, and mission of the Library. A small annual membership donation ($10 or more), when added together with others, makes a big difference in what the Friends can do for the Library.
As a Friend you can attend the Members only Preview night at our book sales where you get first choice of our wonderful book selection. In addition, volunteers are always welcome and needed to help with the Friends’ planning, hospitality, and fund-raising projects, or in our Book Shop. It’s fun to work with others who value the Library as a community and education center.
The Friends of the South Burlington Public Library support the mission, programs, events, and staff of the South Burlington Public Library through fundraising, volunteerism, and advocacy.
The Friends of the South Burlington Public Library is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and membership contributions are fully deductible as allowed by law.
For more information, read the history of the Friends.
Our mailing address is 180 Market Street, South Burlington, VT 05403
Questions? Email fotsbpl@gmail.com
Stay connected to the Friends on Facebook
Friends' Leadership
Officers 7/1/2024-6/30/2025:
President, Merry Jones
Secretary, Sue Raatikainen
Treasurer, Frances Williams
Becoming a Member
Online form
Print and email form
Meetings
Meetings are generally held on the third Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Library.
Book Shop
The Friends Book Shop (formerly known as A Novel Idea) is located upstairs in the new Library.
Books are available for purchase all hours that the Library is open.
Friends of the SBPL Book Donation Guidelines
We need to replenish the Friends Book Shop shelves. Clean out your bookshelves as you ring in the new year. The Friends of the SBPL are seeking:
- Newer Fiction (not older than 10 years)
- Newer Non-Fiction (History, Biographies, memoirs that are relatively recent, and books on crafting, gardening, travel, or adventure)
- Children books (Board books for infants and toddlers, Read aloud story books, Beginning and early readers, Middle reader chapter books, Fiction and science fiction for teens)
- Classics and Poetry
- Books on Vermont history, travel, or famous residents
We can only accept books that are clean and in good condition.
We cannot accept:
- Mass market paperback books
- VHS tapes, DVDs or CDs
- Magazines
- Text books
- Religious books
- Foreign language books
- Readers Digest books
- Time Life books
- Moldy books or books that have been written in.
Please bring donations upstairs in the Library to the Friends Book Shop Monday through Saturday between 10:30 and 12:30 or leave them at the Circulation Desk during other hours.
Donations of your books are the only source supplying our bookshop. We run the bookshop to generate funds to support our library. Thank you for donating books and patronizing the Friends Bookshop.
For 2025, the Library is counting on the Friends to help fund the following:
- The Winter Concert Series
- Book Page, a monthly book magazine available to all library patrons
- Support for Children’s programs including Music and Movement with Miss Emma
- Development and appreciation for library staff, trustees, and volunteers
- Hospitality for library programs throughout the year
- A permanent Storywalk on Garden Street coming this Fall
Hear from the Children's Librarian and Adult Services Librarian on how the Friends helped fund Summer Reading in 2024:
Adult Services Summer Reading 2024
Children's Summer Reading 2024
Volunteering
You can meet other library enthusiasts by volunteering in the Book Shop, at our biannual book sales or by hosting special library events.
Please email us or attend our monthly meeting for more information.
