Friends of the Long Beach Public Libraries Need Your Support

By Ellen Butler

Sixty-two years ago, one vocal individual attempted to stop the city library from carrying “The Last Temptation of Christ” by Nikos Kazantzakis. In response, City librarian Blanche Collins and a group of concerned residents challenged the move. Ultimately, they persuaded City Council that librarians should maintain the right to make book-buying decisions for the City of Long Beach Library (LBPL) system. Friends of the Long Beach Public Libraries (the Friends) was born. 

This all-volunteer, non-profit membership organization continues thriving today. We work to preserve the public library as a place of intellectual freedom and to guard against censorship. We advocate for a strong public library system by keeping informed and acting on current issues that affect our library. We help build community awareness and enthusiasm for LBPL services, programs, and needs. 

Our advocacy work is critical! We lobby City Council in support of adequate library funding. We vocally oppose attempts at book banning or censorship. We join the American Library Association annually during Banned Books Week (BBW) and table throughout Long Beach to advocate for the right to read freely. We also distribute information about local branch locations and hours, and how to obtain a library card. In addition, The Friends gives away books—perhaps you even saw us handing out dozens of children’s books during the BHCA Goblins on the Greenbelt last year. 

We raise funds through membership dues, donations, and book/media sales at each of our 12 branches. (If you have items to donate, we will take them; please see our website for the few restrictions on what we can accept.) Most of the money we raise goes directly to each branch, which has the freedom to determine its own needs (e.g., a new rug for children’s storytelling). We also purchase materials, help fund summer reading programs, support cultural and literary events for the community, and subsidize training for library staff. 

For information on how to join, support, or follow the Friends, visit https://lbplfriends.org/

If you’d like to become directly involved in our BBW / Freedom to Read activities, contact Ellen Butler at LNBLBC@gmail.com or 562.396.2251.

The membership fee is low, but your impact as a member is huge!