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About Us

The Friends of the Orinda Library is a non-profit, donations-supported organization dedicated to our community library. Membership is open to all who wish to support libraries, literacy, and books. Volunteers are always welcome!

Our Mission

Our mission is to increase community use and support of the Orinda Library by purchasing library materials; supporting library programs for all ages; and serving as library advocates.

What We Do

The Friends of the Orinda Library purchases many of the library’s new materials each year, including:

  • Thousands of new books, e-books, and audio books, especially those with long wait times
  • DVDs, including popular movies, TV shows, and documentaries
  • Subscriptions to dozens of current and popular magazines for adults and children
  • Subscriptions to newspapers, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal

We also fund many of the library’s enrichment programs for all ages, including:

  • The annual Poul Anderson Creative Writing Contest for Orinda high school students
  • Speaker Programs with authors and other presentations
  • The Summer Reading Programs for children, teens, and adults
  • The Lamorinda Reads program: three communities, one book
  • The Paws to Read program, where children read to therapy dogs

How We Do It

To support the library, The Friends of the Orinda Library raises funds in several ways:

  • Memberships
  • Community donations and bequests
  • Sales of donated books
    • The Friends’ Bookshop
    • Monthly book sales
    • Annual 4th of July book sale
    • Online book sales through Amazon and eBay

HISTORY

The Friends of the Orinda Library was begun in 1959 by Muir Sorrick to foster relations between the library and community.

EXPLORE OUR PAST
City in Nature Jane Kim/Ink Dwell studio The beautiful mural depicting the unique ecosystem of Orinda was commissioned by The Friends of the Orinda Library and dedicated on July 4, 2022.

MURAL

The Friends of the Orinda Library commissioned the exterior mural, designed and painted by Jane Kim of Ink Dwell.

LEARN MORE
About Us - The Friends of the Orinda Library team

LEADERSHIP

The Friends of the Orinda Library has an elected Board of Directors and a dedicated team of volunteers.

MEET THE BOARD
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