The Friends of Porter Public Library fund library programs and activities, purchase special equipment and materials for the library, contribute to renovation costs, and sponsor programs designed to add to the social and cultural life of the community.
Dine at Houlihan’s in Westlake on Thursday, September 19, between 5 and 9 p.m. to help the Friends raise funds for the library. Mention to your server that you are there to support the Friends of Porter Public Library—the more that is purchased, the higher the percentage donated.
Steve Pettyjohn, Cathy Schultz, Carol Masek, Barb Hajek, Jim Hajek, Alice Lang and Jennifer Cirincione planted the Porter Library flower box on Hilliard Boulevard on May 18. The flower box is planted and maintained every year by the volunteers of the Friends of Porter Public Library.
View and print the application (PDF) and bring it to the Welcome desk at the library.
The Friends' Board usually meets at the library on the second Thursday of every other month, and members are welcome to attend. An Annual Meeting is usually held in January (contact the Friends for information).
The 2024 Friends’ Annual Big Book Sale is October 17 through October 20, 2024, with Preview Night on October 16 for Friends members.
A Silent Auction of special books will be on display in the lobby during the month of October. Bidding concludes on Sunday, October 20 at 3 p.m.
You'll find plenty of fiction, nonfiction, children's books, DVDs, CDs and audiobooks. There will be three rooms—plus the Book Nook—filled to the brim, including a room dedicated to hundreds of children's books!
Thursday, October 17 - 9:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday, October 18 - 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday, October 19 - 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Sunday, October 20 - 1:15–4 p.m.
Bring your own bags. Pay on the way out what you think your bags are worth.
We now accept Apple Pay, Google Wallet, VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
If you would like to help with the sale, please indicate that on your membership form or contact the Friends via email or phone. (Book Sale volunteers do not need to be Friends members.)
Organized in 1972, Friends of Porter Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization which supports the library by giving volunteer service and monetary contributions. These monetary gifts support programs and purchase items that are beyond the library's regular budget.
The Friends raise funds from membership, Portables Gift Shop, the Book Nook, annual Book Sale, and periodic special fundraisers throughout the year. Since its inception, the Friends have donated over $1,000,000 to Westlake Porter Public Library! The donations have been used to purchase Outreach vans, underwrite the summer reading program, Joyful Noise programs, various staff incentives, computers and programs for the children's area, new shelving, furniture and equipment, library and audio materials, and programming.
In addition, the Friends provided funding for the Quiet Reading Room when the library went through a major renovation and doubled its size in 2001. They also provided underwriting for the biennial "WestFest", a literary celebration that brought accomplished authors to Westlake for lectures and school appearances. They donated money toward renovating the children's area. Every summer for three decades, the Friends held an annual Ice Cream Social, coinciding with the conclusion of the Summer Library Challenge.
Download a membership brochure, or pick one up at the Reception Desk in the lobby of the library and join this active and great group who support Westlake Porter Public Library.
Check out this documentary produced in honor of the Friends' 50 years of service!
Volunteer opportunities with Friends of Porter Public Library are available in the following areas.
Please contact us if you are interested.
Friends has funded many projects over the years: here are just a few!
Friends has purchased minivans for the library to use for delivery to the homebound.
The Friends group also funds many library programs and events throughout the year, such as the Summer Library Challenge.
