About the Friends of the Library

Along with helping to build the library the Friends also purchase computers,

help buy books, magazines, and movies,

help furnish the library,

support the Summer Reading and other library programs,

and financially supported digitizing many of the documents in the Helen Magee Heritage Room.

      The Friends of the Hot Springs Public Library is a non-profit civic organization, staffed by volunteers, dedicated to the improvement of our public library. We support activities not provided in the library’s budget and projects that enhance the relationship of the library with the general public, schools and the business community.
     The Friends provide a program of financial support to the library to help strengthen its resources and services in the community. Our organization promotes public recognition and awareness of these resources and encourages residents to support the library. We exert a positive effort in selected public, professional and business sectors to foster goodwill and wider recognition of the library’s capabilities and improve community relations.
     The Friends was founded in July 1991 by a group of concerned citizens who recognized a need for library services beyond those provided by the City of Hot Springs. This corporation is organized exclusively for the charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes within the meaning of    § 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code to:

• promote the interests and welfare of the Hot Springs Public Library as a cultural, educational and recreational asset to the City of Hot Springs;
• maintain an association of persons interested in libraries;
• focus public attention on the library; to stimulate use of the library’s resources and services;
• receive and encourage gifts, endowments and bequests to the library;
• support and cooperate with the library in developing library services and facilities for the community and county;
• assist in and support the development of programs for the extension and improvement of library services and resources;
• foster closer relations between the library and the public which it serves;
• support the library by aiding it in meeting financial needs;
• provide programs and financial support to the Hot Springs Public Library system to strengthen its resources and services in the public and business communities; and
• maintain an association of persons interested in strengthening the Hot Springs Public Library system, enhancing its collections and promoting its usefulness.

What can you do to help The Friends of the Library?  Membership is easy and volunteers are always needed.  Contact any of the Friends or the Library Staff to see how you can help.  Click here to find out how to become a member.