September brings us Read a Book day on 9/6 and International Literacy Day on 9/8. We’re celebrating these observances all month with our September outreach: Friends of the Library, Multnomah County.

Libraries offer much more than books. Libraries are essential resources for a developed society to spread information and knowledge, cultivate innovation and creativity, promote literacy and education, and facilitate community. Libraries are also a key component to reducing waste, as they provide centralized print and media resources for the community to share, cutting down on the number of new items purchased and later discarded.

Friends of the Library advocates for and supports our public library by providing supplemental funding for library programs and services and sponsoring activities. Money raised by Friends of the Library funds Pageturners book groups at all library branches and adult summer reading programs. Additionally, FoL have fought for sufficient and permanent funding for the Multnomah County Library for over 40 years, ensuring that our Multnomah County Library District will receive dedicated and stable funding far into the future.

Friends of the Library raise the necessary funds for these programs in a few different ways. First, they operate the Friends Library Store inside Central Library where they offer a carefully curated selection of high-quality used books, greeting cards, jewelry, and locally made gifts. Around Portland FoL sell books and other merchandise at special events like Wordstock, Books for Beer, and the Mississippi Street Fair. They also host an annual Holiday Sale at Central Library the first weekend of December, with seasonal offerings and gift quality books. Secondly, FoL take more niche products to the interweb, where they sell everything from recently published signed fiction to out of print vintage and rare titles. These “Collector’s Corner” inventory items can also be purchased at FoL book sales, the Rose City Book Fair, and the Holiday Sale. Lastly, Friends of the Library conduct the biggest used book sales in Oregon each spring and fall with over 100,000 donated items.

Their 2019 fall book sale is coming up October 5-7, featuring literary trivia, drinks, educator discounts, and special sales. We are collecting used books to donate to Friends of the Library to be sold at their various book sales. Bring your donation of used books to your next appointment, in accordance with the guidelines below.

Want to know what happens to your books after their donated? Take a peek!

For other ways to donate or get involved with Friends of the Library: Multnomah County, click the button.