Friends of the Public Libraries, Indiana Origins and Outlook

Abstract

"Where there are friends, there is wealth," wrote Titus Maccius Plaurus more than 2,000 years ago (An Invitation). An advocacy group in Syracuse, N.Y., whose interest lay in the promotion of the welfare of its community's branch libraries and main libraries, took this sentiment to heart when they established their organization in 1922. They called themselves the Friends of Reading of Onondanga County, Inc., and in the process started a Friends of Libraries movement that has resulted in the strengthening of libraries nationwide. Friends of Libraries are very much an influential presence today, providing support for public, university, and special libraries at local, state and national levels.