The Friends of the Rochester Public Library supports a variety of community and outreach programs that promote literacy and connect people with books.

Read with Me

An evolution of the Book Bags for Babies program (est. 1989), Read with Me introduces newborns and their families to the library.

• New parents at Methodist and Olmsted Hospitals receive a Baby Reader and library information.

• In partnership with the United Way of Southeast Minnesota, families learn about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which sends one book per month to children in Olmsted County until age five.

• Approximately 3,200 babies are reached each year.

Mini-Libraries & Operation Paperback

• Mini-Libraries: Volunteers help stock local mini-libraries with books for the community.

• Operation Paperback: Gently used books are sent to American troops, veterans, and their families, providing comfort and connection far from home. ‍

Supporting Literacy in Schools & the Community

• In Schools: Teachers receive books for classrooms, and students take home free books to inspire a lifelong love of reading.

• In the Community:

  • Hawthorne Helps – Thousands of books have been donated since 2020 to English language learners and their families, supporting literacy and language learning.

  • Olmsted County Child & Family Services – Launched in 2025, providing children’s and youth books for social workers to bring on home visits or for families to pick up during appointments.

  • Women’s Shelter Book Nook - Launched in 2026, a small on-site library managed by Friends of the Library, offering residents access to books for all ages for comfort and learning.

Supporting the Rochester Public Library Foundation

The Friends also support the Library Foundation, which ensures the library’s long-term growth through endowment funds, grants, and donor partnerships.

• Recognizes memorial and honor gifts for loved ones

• Offers tax benefits for individual and business donors, including gifts of stocks, bonds, and donor-advised funds

• Hosts two major annual fundraising events: a silent auction and the WIT Gala

• Funds help launch innovative pilot projects and supplement public funding

On September 26, 1949, the first meeting of the Friends of the Library was called to order.

The Friends of the Rochester Public Library, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Mission

The Friends of the Rochester Public Library is a nonprofit organization of community people dedicated to strengthening the public library, promoting awareness and use of library services, building community and financial support, and encouraging volunteer involvement.

View our Bylaws

The Friends Board of Directors guides the mission and activities of the Friends of the Rochester Public Library.

• Membership: The Board consists of 10–20 members elected by the Friends membership for a three-year term, with a maximum of three consecutive terms. Members must step down for at least one year before being eligible for re-election. Elections are held at the Annual Meeting each January.

• Officers: Five members serve as officers for two-year terms: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Bookstore Representative.

Board Meetings

The Board meets monthly, on the second Monday of each month.

Responsibilities

Board members are expected to:

• Actively participate in meetings and decision-making regarding policies, activities, budgets, and financial oversight.

• Support Friends fundraising events and library programs.

• Serve on at least one committee. Standing committees include:

  • Executive Committee

  • Finance Committee

  • Nominating Committee

  • Membership Committee

  • Additional committees may be formed as needed.

• Represent and promote the Friends positively in the community.