What We Do

Friends of the New Orleans Public Library (FNOPL) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for and supporting New Orleans Public Library programming, services and staff development by engaging with and strengthening the diverse Greater New Orleans community and promoting literacy for all.

Libraries can change lives. From reading programs for children in need to providing large print books for the elderly, Friends support our libraries and help people across New Orleans enjoy a lifelong love of reading and learning.

Since 1957, the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library has been contributing generously and providing vital volunteer service to partially fill the gap where city funding ends. Friends financially sponsor the Summer Reading Program, Adult Programs, and Creative Writing Workshops. Friends also purchase supplies, awards scholarships to librarians continuing their education, and provide grants directly to each of the 14 library locations.

In addition to providing much needed funding to NOPL, Friends annually give over 100,000 books to local schools, hospitals, shelters, prisons, and other community partnering organizations. Every year, Friends fund important and inspiring public library programs, benefiting our entire community.

• In the past year, FNOPL has contributed $70,000 to fund library programs, adult literacy classes, grants to individual Orleans branches and facility improvements.
  • FNOPL donates 100,000 books a year to senior centers, classroom libraries, prisons and shelters.
  • We award annual scholarships to local NOPL library staff seeking advanced degrees in the Library Sciences.
  • More than 15,000 children, teens, and adults participate in the annual Summer Reading Program.
  • More than 70,000 Orleans Parish residents benefit from NOPL library programs annually.

Learn more about joining Friends here – your support bolsters New Orleans’ vibrant literary culture and maintains free services to some of our most under-served families.