In 1975, as its Bicentennial project and gift to Columbia, the Junior League of Columbia, Inc. voted to provide volunteers and the necessary funds to establish a Friends of the Library group in Richland County. Since that time, the Friends have worked to support the library and raise awareness throughout the community.

Friends' Events | Meet the Friends Board | Get Involved!

The contributions of the Friends have enabled the growth and expansion of services that helped RCPL become the 2001 National Library of the Year. Specifically, the Friends of RCPL:

• Sponsors four annual book sales and preview sales, raising more than $65,000 a year to support the library.
• Presents the Lucy Hampton Bostick Award, recognizing someone who has made significant contributions to libraries and South Carolina literature.
• Supports the library's annual A(ugusta) Baker’s Dozen—A Celebration of Stories.
• Promotes library awareness through publications and provides volunteer recognition and staff awards.
• Sponsors a variety of fundraisers throughout the year.
• Provides important enhancements not available through the library's public appropriation.

Have You Joined?

Your continued support and membership in the Friends will allow the organization to help RCPL become an even more indispensable community resource. Click on the membership levels below to join the Friends today!

Membership Levels are:

• Bookmark - $25-$49
• Bookworm - $50-$99
• Book Collector - $100-$249
• Reserve List - $250-$499
• First Edition - $500-$999
• Conservator - $1,000 & up

Note: Members at $50 level or higher receive a book sale coupon.

Application forms are available at all locations and online so you can download and print a copy from home. This requires that Adobe Acrobat Reader be installed on your computer.

Members will also receive discounts from a variety of our friends in the community including: Columbia Classical Ballet, Columbia YMCA, Ed's Editions, Folline Vision Centers, Contact Lens Clinic, One Eared Cow Glass and Personal Property Appraisals, LLC. New Friends members will receive a $5 coupon for a Friends' Book Sale.

If you have questions about joining the Friends of the Library, please call 929-3475 or e-mail us.

Wild Things ROAR at RCPL...

Get your Wild Things T-shirt today and support the Friends! Shirts are available in toddler, youth and adult sizes. We also have book bags, perfect for toting your library books, groceries and more.

To order, call 929-3475 or download and print an order form. (This requires that Adobe Acrobat Reader be installed on your computer. You can download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Web site .

Have Books to Spare?

The Friends accept donations of books, CDs, DVDs and more in good condition for sale at the four annual Friends' book sales.

• Donated items can be dropped off at any RCPL location.
• Please place donations in a box prior to delivery and let a staff member know they are for the Friends.
• A tax receipt will be given to you at the time of your donation.
• Please note that donated items will not be counted or assigned a value by the Friends of RCPL.
• Unfortunately text books and encyclopedias cannot be accepted by the Friends.