Friends of the Library

Consider becoming a member of our local Friends of the Library! The Friends of the Rowan County Public Library are an organization established to maintain community interest in the library, and to focus public attention on our services, facilities, and needs. Their mission is to build a partnership between RCPL and our service area, the better to advocate for quality library services for everyone in Rowan County.

“Friend” is far from an empty title: They work hard to recruit members who reflect and represent our community’s population. The Friends also sponsor library programs provided for children, youth and adults; plan and implement fundraising activities; and to provide funds to purchase materials and equipment in partnership with our administration. Their members represent RCPL to the public and media, striving to promote and support the library’s plans, progress, decisions, and future needs, and they encourage unrestricted donation of gifts, endowments, and bequests to support what we do. They develop and provide social and educational activities alongside our staff, too!

Your Rowan County Public Library acknowledges the Friends as one of our best and most important assets. Without them, we would be much more limited in the programming we’re able to offer, not to mention shorthanded during events like our annual holiday open house! They’ve purchased or helped to purchase everything from holiday decorations to food for events, our movie night popcorn machine, and even promotional stuff like tote bags. 

For more information, or to join the organization, stop by and pick up a brochure at the front circulation desk, or call us at (606) 784-7137. We’d love to have you as a Friend!

The Friends of the Library stock and operate our in-house bookstore, where you can purchase used books, movies, Playaways, and more. The bookstore is open whenever the library is open.

All purchases from the bookstore are by donation only, rather than by set prices. What does this mean for bookstore patrons? Instead of being asked to pay a specific amount for different material types, you will be invited to make a donation to the library for any amount of your choosing. Proceeds from bookstore materials go right back to supporting the library.