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Our Mission

Foster and maintain a community interested in books, cultural and educational materials and activities, as well as in the development of a public library facility adequate to serve the needs of the community.

Increase and improve the facilities and services of the Wichita Public Library to enrich the cultural opportunities available to the citizens of Wichita and surrounding communities.

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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

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Raising Funds:

  • Organizing approximately four Book Sales per year

  • Managing retail sales in the Used Book Store

  • Providing inventory for the WPL book collections

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Providing Service:

  • Recruiting volunteers for the Pop-Up Library WPL initiative

  • Planning and funding volunteer recognition events

 

Advocacy:

  • Creating pamphlets for Legislative Day

 

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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

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  • FWPL has donated over $45,000 to the Wichita Public Library to assist with general operations

  • Contributed a Lead Gift of $250,000 to the Capital Campaign in support of the new Advanced Learning Library

 

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

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