The Friends of the Library, FOL for short, is an organization founded to develop and maintain citizen interest and participation in the growth and development of the community's public libraries and to stimulate the use of the Library's resources and services.
Give to Your Local Library and/or Friends Organization
Your librarian can talk with you about ways to support your individual library. Contributing to Friends organizations is also a way to help your local library. For more information:
- Bryson City - Friends of the Marianna Black Library
- Cashiers - Friends of the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library
- Franklin - Friends of the Macon County Public Library
- Highlands - Hudson Library Board of Trustees
- Nantahala - Friends of the Macon County Public Library
- Sylva - Friends of the Jackson County Public Library
For "Friends of the Library" locations, check our "Used Books" page or download the Used Bookstores Location Map (pdf). 
How Friends Support the Library
Sponsor Programs & Events
Friends of the Library provides funds for the library to offer a wide variety of public programs. For children: Summer reading activities & reading clubs, preschool & toddler story times, year round programs on animals, crafts, music, nature, poetry, theatre, and writing. For adults & families: Family films, new releases, foreign films & classics, concerts, community jams, hobby and craft workshops, cultural heritage & diversity programs.
Purchase Library Materials
FOL raises money for the purchase of books, books on CD, DVDs and magazines. The bestseller rental program provides more copies of popular books, and Friends for Life & A Decade of Books programs buy new books in honor of life members.
Volunteer
There are opportunities at the FOL Used Book Stores and the Fontana Regional Libraries. During 2013, volunteers gave more than 5,700 hours of service at the Bookstore and more than 2,985 hours at the Library.
Strengthen the Community
FOL develops & maintains citizen interest and participation in the growth of the Library County Fair Booth, Town of Franklin’s Appalachian Trail Conservancy Community, Chamber of Commerce Membership, Red Cross Blood Drive, and many more community outreach events.
Advocate for the Library
FOL works to increase the visibility and use of the library as a vital part of the community. They support Library Legislative Day to secure state funding for libraries; contact local elected officials to secure local funding; work with civic and community groups.
Connect to the Online World
FOL helps the library keep its technology equipment up-to-date with matching funds for technology grants like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grants.
Please visit your local Friends of the library websites and pages listed above for more information about getting involved.