Our History

The Friends of the Longmont Library was created in 1983 — when a small group of Library enthusiasts got together to form a group dedicated to encouraging public support of the Longmont Library. Bea Melchow, then-director of the Longmont Library, had collected withdrawn library books the Library no longer needed and told Becky Williamson, a member of the fledgling Friends group, “You are going to run a book sale.” And so we did. The sale was on a Saturday morning with only two tables set up outside the library. The Friends made a few hundred dollars to benefit the Library.

Shortly thereafter, in 1984, the Friends of the Longmont Library was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization. By the end of our fiscal year in 1985, we had a budget of over $1,375.00 and 77 members.

The following years saw a steady increase in our budget, membership, and activities. Adult programs and discussion groups became well-attended events. Frequent requests from the Library for funding for the latest technology began a trend that continues to this day.

Now, nearly forty years later, the Friends of the Longmont Library has over 500 members, an annual budget well over $100,000.00, a year-round Lobby Book Shop, and four BIG Book Sales. Funding projects for the library has continued to set new record amounts.

The Friends of the Longmont Library has certainly accomplished the goals of those visionary early members and eagerly anticipates many more years of support for our outstanding Longmont Library.