About

Mission

Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library is dedicated to support projects for community use, in particular those involving new technology and/or financial benefit, to actively support levies and other library funding and to provide programming for the community.

Friends does not assume responsibility for programs and projects that would normally be funded through public monies. Friends’ efforts are an enhancement to, and not a replacement for, governmental support of the library.

Friends also assists the Library during some events, including Rox in Sox, the Storytelling Festival, Music and Author Nights, and Knights of Veritas. Friends is a primary supporter of the LO Reads program.

History

In the Spring of 1953, a small group of library enthusiasts came together to paint the walls of the Lake Oswego Library. This was not a huge task, as the library at that time consisted of one room in City Hall. From that initial group, a more formal organization was formed “to help publicize the library, to raise funds to augment the budget and to organize a long-range plan for expansion and building,” according to early records.

From their modest beginnings up to 1984, Friends raised $10,000 for the library. One of the early fundraisers was the researching, writing and publication of Mary Goodall’s Oregon Iron Dream, still considered a classic of Lake Oswego history. Profits from that single book added $2,000 to the library building fund. Other fundraising activities in those early years included “movie & popcorn nights” at the library, publishing and selling a cookbook, Book Cooks and Other Important People, and holding annual book sales.

Among the many individuals who have been instrumental in the success of the Friends, the late Colleen Bennett stands out:

‘Colleen was one of the strongest supporters of our community’s library and its programs,’ said Cyndie Glazer, coordinator of programs and volunteer services at the Lake Oswego Public Library. ‘You may know her as a member of the Lake Oswego Reads steering committee. She was formerly president of Friends of the Library and in that capacity was instrumental in helping us start LO Reads in 2007.’

Lake Oswego Review, February 2011

Meetings

Board of Directors meetings are open to the public and are held in January, March, May, September, and November. They are typically held on the third Thursday of the month in the evening.  If you are interested in attending, please Contact Us.

Contributions to the Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library, a public benefit corporation, qualify as tax-deductible contributions.
Federal Tax ID: 51-0175514