The Friends of the Fayette County Public Library
Our History
Our organization was formed March 14, 1985 when a group of mutually interested citizens met to discuss forming a library support organization. By-Laws of the organization were adopted June 10, 1986 by the officers, Rose Hall, Susanna Howle, Collin Kelley, Betty Parker, S. Powell and Mickey Seigle. The group met monthly and formalized its status by December 1986 as The Friends of the Margaret Mitchell Public Library, Inc.
The name of the library was changed to The Fayette County Public Library when the library moved to its present location in January, 1997. The organization amended its By-Laws on September 12, 1997 to become the Friends of The Fayette County Public Library.
Mission Statement:
Our Purpose
A. To Maintain an association of persons, clubs, organizations and businesses interested in the promotion and strengthening of the Fayette County Library and it's services, collection and facilities.
B. To Cooperate actively with the library staff and Fayette County Library Board as an informed group, aware of the library's operation, objectives and needs.
C. To Be informed of federal, state, and local legislation affecting the extension and improvement of libraries; to strengthen the library's collection and facilities in areas not provided by the Fayette County Library budget.
D. To Encourage gifts, donations, and endowments and bequests for the Fayette County Public Library and to receive all such gifts, donations and endowments and bequests.
E. To Raise funds to be applied toward accomplishing the purpose of the organization.
Who We Are
We are a nonprofit volunteer organization composed of members interested in enriching the quality of library resources and services in the Fayette County Community. The Friends share energy, knowledge, and expertise to support library activities and programs with our financial and volunteer efforts. We work with and encourage local governments, and business and civic organizations to support the cultural and educational enhancement of our community by partnering with the Friends.
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What We Do
We believe that the public library plays an important role in the cultural and educational enrichment of the community. As a result, the Friends:
-Monitor state and national library issues and where possible, participate and lobby for the Public Library System as advocates of the library and its services.
-Keep abreast of current and future needs of the library.
-Advocate locally, regionally and nationally for pro-library legislation and funding.
-Conduct fundraisers, used book sales and merchandise sales to generate funds for programs, materials, and tools (computers) that are not provided for in the county budget.
The community has been very receptive to our used book sales where we raise the majority of our funds. These funds support many visible library programs, such as the Summer Reading Program, and others that are behind the scenes. Over the years we have provided books, listening centers, game tables, benches, and Dewey the Library Bear for the Youth Department. We funded additional computers and a graphic novel nook in the main library. We also sponsor the visiting authors' series, the Blended Heritage Program and other cultural activities.
We want to encourage FFCPL members to become members of the Friends of Georgia Libraries (FOGL).
The mission of FOGL is
-To create an informed statewide voice for Georgia's libraries through a grassroots network of citizens who communicate the value of libraries as essential community services.
-To strengthen the ability of local Friends organizations to support their libraries.
For more information on FOGL go to
https://www.facebook.com/fotfcpl/