The $2,000,000 Secret: 7 Ways Friends Of The Whittier Library Is Transforming Your Community
Every thriving community needs a bedrock of support for its educational and cultural institutions, and for the City of Whittier, that foundation is the Friends of the Whittier Library. As of the current date in late 2025, this all-volunteer, non-profit organization stands as one of the most impactful library support groups in Southern California, having contributed over $2 million to the Whittier Public Library since its founding in 1964. Their work ensures that the library remains a vibrant, well-equipped center for learning, from funding essential equipment to supporting beloved community programs like the Summer Reading Club.
The Friends operate on a simple, powerful model: turning donated materials into unrestricted funds that directly benefit every facet of the library's operations. This deep dive explores the current activities, major contributions, and crucial role the Friends play in keeping the Whittier Public Library a cutting-edge resource for every resident, making them far more than just "the people who run the book sale."
The Essential Engine: What the Friends of the Whittier Library Do
The Friends of the Whittier Library is a dedicated group of volunteers whose mission is singular: to provide financial and advocacy support to the Whittier Public Library. Their impact is felt across all library services, from the Central Library to the Whittwood Branch Library. The organization’s success is built on a few core activities, all managed without a single paid staff member.
1. The Iconic Friends Bookstore and Media Sales
The primary source of income for the Friends is the legendary Friends Bookstore, which is often cited as the largest non-profit bookstore in Southern California. Located at 6703 Comstock Avenue, at the corner of Bailey Street, the store is a treasure trove for bibliophiles and media collectors alike. It offers an enormous selection of gently used materials at incredible prices, ensuring that every dollar spent goes directly back into the community's library services.
- Location: 6703 Comstock Avenue, Whittier, CA.
- Hours: The bookstore maintains extensive hours, including Monday through Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and shorter hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
- Inventory: Beyond books (covering all genres from children's literature to coffee table reads and best-sellers), the store sells a wide array of media, including vinyl records, CDs, and DVDs.
2. Massive Twice-Yearly BOGO Book Sales
Twice a year, the Friends host a highly anticipated, massive Buy One, Get One Free (BOGO) Book Sale, often held in the library's parking lot. These events draw thousands of community members and are crucial for clearing inventory and raising significant funds. For example, a HUGE FALL BOGO SALE is already scheduled for November 2025, demonstrating the organization's forward-looking planning.
These sales are key LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) events for the Whittier community, generating buzz and providing affordable reading material. They are also a major benefit for members, who often receive special access or additional discounts.
Funding the Future: Major Contributions and Projects
The Friends of the Whittier Library do not just provide pocket change; they are a powerhouse of financial support. Their contributions are in the form of unrestricted funds, meaning the Library Administration has the flexibility to use the money where it is most needed, whether for emergency equipment repairs, new technology, or crucial programming.
3. The $2,000,000 Milestone in Unrestricted Funds
Since its inception in 1964, the organization has consistently made annual gifts to the City of Whittier for the express purpose of supporting the Public Library. Their total cumulative donation has surpassed the $2 million mark, a staggering figure that underscores their decades of commitment. These funds are the lifeblood for:
- Programming: Funding events and initiatives that go beyond the basic operating budget.
- Equipment: Purchasing new computers, audio-visual gear, and other essential tools for staff and patrons.
- Publicity: Ensuring the community is aware of the library's many services and events.
4. Instrumental Role in the Central Library Renovation
One of the most significant and recent achievements of the Friends was their pivotal role in the multi-million dollar Central Library Renovation. Working alongside the Whittier Public Library Foundation and the City, the Friends were specifically responsible for funding all new furnishings and equipment for the upgraded facility. This contribution transformed the 60-year-old building into a modern, state-of-the-art community hub, adding thousands of square feet and ensuring the library's infrastructure is ready for the next generation of users.
5. Supporting Vital Community Programs
The unrestricted funds are consistently channeled into high-impact community programs. The most well-known beneficiary is the annual Summer Reading Club, which encourages literacy and learning for children and teens throughout the summer months. Additionally, their support helps fund other major initiatives, such as the "Whittier Reads" program, which promotes community-wide engagement with literature.
How to Become a Supporter and Get Exclusive Perks
The success of the Friends is entirely dependent on the generosity of the community, both through donations of time and materials, and through annual memberships. Becoming a member is the most direct way to support the Whittier Public Library while gaining exclusive benefits.
6. Simple and Affordable Membership Benefits
Membership in the Friends of the Whittier Library is incredibly accessible, with basic annual memberships starting at just $10.00. This small investment yields immediate and tangible rewards for any frequent visitor of the Friends Bookstore:
- Monthly BOGO Day: Members receive a "Buy One Get One Free" deal on the last Thursday of every month at the Friends Bookstore. This is a members-only perk.
- Parking Lot Sale Discounts: Members are eligible for special discounts at the twice-yearly parking lot sales, including the HUGE FALL BOGO SALE.
- Direct Impact: Every membership fee contributes directly to the unrestricted funds used for essential library services, equipment, and programming.
7. The Power of Volunteering
As an all-volunteer organization, the Friends are always in need of willing hands. Volunteers manage all aspects of the operation, from sorting the thousands of donated books and media—including bestsellers, fiction, non-fiction, and children's books—to staffing the Friends Bookstore and organizing the massive sales. The opportunity to volunteer is a fantastic way for Whittier residents to directly contribute to their local cultural institutions and meet fellow book enthusiasts. Interested individuals can inquire at the bookstore located on Comstock Avenue.
The Friends of the Whittier Library are not merely a fundraising arm; they are a vital, active partner in the library's mission. Their continuous work, from the daily operations of the non-profit bookstore to their monumental financial contributions to projects like the Central Library Renovation, ensures that the Whittier Public Library remains a cornerstone of education and culture in the City of Whittier for generations to come. By supporting the Friends through membership, donations, or patronage of the bookstore, you are directly investing in the intellectual future of your community.
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