Our Mission

The Friends of the Wichita Public Library advocates for and supports the mission of the Wichita Public Library.

In our efforts to support the library, we strive to:

Provide funding for essential Library materials, programs and services not supplied by normal budget resources.
Recognize the service of volunteers for the Library and its support organizations.
Promote public support for and use of the Library.
Educate members, elected officials and the general public on Library issues.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Friends fulfills its mission of service, advocacy, and support by using the money raised through memberships, donations, and the bookstore and book sales to support the Library.

What We Support

The Friends provide support for the Wichita Public Library through

Raising Funds:

Organizing approximately four Book Sales per year
Managing retail sales in the Used Book Store
Providing inventory for the WPL book collections

Providing Service:

Recruiting volunteers for the Pop-Up Library WPL initiative
Planning and funding volunteer recognition events

Advocacy:

Creating pamphlets for Legislative Day

The Friends provides community support by:

Giving all unsold book sale items to the Union Rescue Mission
Providing books to the Wichita Police Department for children who are victims of abuse
Supplying astronomy magazines to the Girl Scouts
Giving books for the Serbia study abroad program
Providing materials for the Urban League after school tutoring program and books for students to read after completing their homework
Assisting with St. Paul's Episcopalian Church Homeless Outreach Program
Helping customers with special circumstances to resolve outstanding library fees through the Good Samaritan program

Noteworthy Achievements

In 2025, FWPL donated just over $43,000 to the Wichita Public Library.
In 2024, FWPL contributed a Lead Gift of $100,000 to the Capital Campaign in support of the WPL branch remodel projects.

Library Programs the

Friends Help Fund:

Adult reading program #READICT
1,000 books before Kindergarten
The Big Read
Over 1,000 free book coupons for the Summer Reading Program