Membership

The Power of a Friends Group is its Members! 

It is time to renew your membership to the Friends of the Newburyport Public Library!

The Newburyport Public Library brings knowledge, culture and social connections to everyone who visits. As a member of The Friends of the Newburyport Public Library (FOL), you will make a significant contribution to our library community. How important is FOL to the Newburyport community?

This past year, over 10,000 people attended virtual and in-person adult, teen and children’s programs. The FOL funded 75% of all paid programs! Many popular library programs and services, like these below, are 100% funded by FOL.

• Some library programs and services exist only because of FOL. For example, the Museum Pass Program: in 2024 over 990 passes were checked out – 100% funded by FOL. The passes provide varying discount admissions to nearly 20 Massachusetts and New Hampshire museums including the popular New England Aquarium and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Thanks to annual funding by FOL, discount passes for museum admission can be reserved on the Newburyport Library website and patrons can enjoy museum adventures for all ages! In fiscal year 2024, the cost to provide this program alone was over $6,000.
• Every year our youngest library patrons benefit from the FOL-funded Summer Reading Program. Over 600 children and adults attended the traveling zoo kick-off event and nearly 450 kids and teens participated in the program throughout the summer.
• KANOPY, the at-home video streaming service, is available for free to all library card holders. This program alone cost over $11,000 in FY24 and is paid for solely by FOL.  For anyone who has not installed this program on a TV or computer, it is very easy! The Reference Librarians are happy to assist with any problems you might have. On Kanopy, you’ll find first run movies, great old classics, and a wealth of interesting documentaries. All FREE!

FOL members pay annual dues renewable in January. We invite you to support our work. We rely on the membership dues to supplement the city library budget. The membership year is January through December (not pro-rated) and must be renewed annually.

Many people have already renewed, and for that we thank you!  If you haven’t already joined or renewed, please renew online here.

All contributions are tax deductible as we are a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.  We do not use or sell your information.

 

• If you would like to make an additional Financial Donation please click here 
• Or learn more about a donation of a book  here! 

The Friends Board of Directors meet monthly or as necessary to plan and host fundraising events.