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Thanks for visiting the Friends of the Free Library Philadelphia website. The Friends of the Free Library is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to support the Free Library of Philadelphia. Through affiliate neighborhood volunteer groups, we promote cooperation and communication between the community and the Free Library and advocate for library services for all.
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LIBRARIES, THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITIES
FRIENDS CALL TO ACTION

Governor Rendell is expected to announce a revised budget plan that includes $400 million more in funding reductions to programs. The Senate's version, which passed, had a 50% cut to the $75 million for State Aid to Libraries. These dollars augment municipal budgets to keep library doors open, filling them with books and computers for our kids, parents, students, seniors, and job seekers. THIS CUT MUST BE STOPPED. Read more . . .

Carnegie Libraries Designated

On Friday, June 12, the Philadelphia Historical Commission unanimously approved designation of four Carnegie branch library buildings to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Read more . . .

Senator Mike Stack Applauds 'Historic' Designation of Holmesburg Library

State Budget Update

We want to thank so many of you who, on short notice, placed calls to members of the House Appropriations Committee this past Monday. S.B.850 was voted down on a party-line vote with 14 Republican members voting in favor of S.B.850 and 20 Democratic members opposing it. For now, this means that S.B.850 will not be sent to the full House for a vote. Read more . . .

ALA's State of America's Libraries Report:

From the ALA Website: The value of libraries in communities across the country continued to grow in 2008 - and accelerated dramatically as the national economy sank and people looked for cost effective resources in a time of crisis, according to the American Library Association's (ALA) annual State of America's Libraries report, released today as part of National Library Week, April 12-18, 2009. View the whole report.

FFL Welcome's New Outreach Manager

Trained as a real estate/corporate paralegal and a commercial title insurance officer, Susan Montella comes to Friends of the Free Library (FFL) with over 20 years of experience in volunteering and serving her community in many ways. As the co-founder and past President of the Passyunk Square Civic Association, Susan worked diligently to bring people together to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood and was a leader in building a strong and enduring community organization. Her other volunteer activities have included legal assistance for the Committee of 70, an English as a Second Language tutor with Nationality Services Center, a stable hand for Work to Ride, a child advocate with the Child Support Education and Resource Center, as well as a gardening instructor and board member of the Delaware County Urban Gardening Program. Susan is a graduate of Neumann College and Widener University for Paralegal Studies. We are thrilled that Susan has joined us as the manager of our Community Outreach efforts. She looks forward to working hand in hand with library staff and neighbors to strengthen Friends Groups and assist FFL with strategic initiatives.

Alliance Meeting Announced

FFL will hold their next Alliance of Friends meeting on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the Skyline Room of Parkway Central Library. Click the following links to read: the Alliance Letter and Amy Dougherty's recent City Council Budget Testimony. RSVP for the Alliance Meeting by July 8 by calling Steve at 215.567.5462 or emailing sduckworth@libraryfriends.info.

Friends of the Free Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Drive with $25,000 Donation

Philadelphia, PA, April 13, 2009 Friends of the Free Library, the organization that supports the Free Library through its neighborhood affiliate groups, donated $25,000 to the Free Library Books for Children drive today. Marking the start of National Library Week, the drive aims to collect 10,000 books for summer reading.

"Friends of the Free Library shares in Mayor Nutter's vision for a more fully educated and employed citizenry of Philadelphia," said Executive Director Amy Dougherty at a press conference at the Central Branch of the Free Library today. "In a city with a 21% illiteracy rate and a nearly 50% high school drop out rate, accomplishing this requires the commitment, hard work and leadership of many. And while our public library cannot accomplish this alone, I firmly believe that with a continued investment to one of the most beloved of our city services, the 54 branch Free Library of Philadelphia system, we will get there---one individual at a time."

This donation of $25,000, a bequest FFL received from the estate of Ann Sayen, is dedicated for teen books; FFL viewed this gift as an opportunity to help teens finish high school and to go on to achieve their dreams --whether it be to enter college of go out into the work force. FFL is investing in the future of our youth through the public library system, which is so important to this great city. Studies show that those students without a book-rich home environment are likely to fall behind before they enter middle school and never catch up.

"I urge you to visit your local library branch and sit next to the librarian for 15 or 20 minutes," said Dougherty. "If you do, you will witness firsthand our committed library staff, people on the front line of the educational and information highway at our public library---the hallway to knowledge, just as Andrew Carnegie and Ben Franklin envisioned it. I cannot over emphasize how important our library staff is in helping all of us to achieve our dreams."

FFL is a designated payee

On March 19, 2009, by a vote of 17 to 0, City Council amended The Philadelphia Code to add Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia to the list of designated payees to whom an employee may direct payroll deductions. Click for the detail report.

News Log:

Senator Mike Stack (6/26/2009)Stack Applauds 'Historic' Designation of Holmesburg Library
Northeast Times (6/10/2009): Historical Answers in Holmesburg
Daily News (5/6/2009): Come July, branch libraries open just 5 days a week
KYW Newsradio (4/24/2009): Phila. Free Library Hearing is Postponed Until Next Month
The Bulletin (4/14/2009): Sayen Estate Offers Grant To Library Organization
Daily News (4/13/2009): Free Library Kicks Off Book Drive
New York Times (4/2/2009): Downturn Puts New Stresses on Libraries
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