by Ben Trickey, Marketing & Communications Specialist, feat. Angela Hyde, LPLFF Program Coordinator, and Logan Isaman-Unruh, Fundraising & Volunteer Specialist
The Lawrence Public Library Friends & Foundation (LPLFF) could not exist without the committed support of its hardworking volunteers. Just in time for National Friends of Libraries Week (October 20-26), those volunteers have demonstrated their value once again, raising over $21,000 at their Fall Book Sale alone.
“Honestly, they're the best — the kindest people,” said Angela Hyde, LPLFF Program Coordinator. “They’re a really great team, and they work together well. They believe in libraries, and they believe in stories.”
The Role of Friends of the Library Groups
Library Friends groups play an essential role in funding libraries across the United States, and the LPL Friends & Foundation is no exception, funding 100% of library programming with their book sale fundraisers.
“All the fun things that you think of when you think of the library are only possible because of the book sale operation,” said Logan Isaman-Unruh, Fundraising & Volunteer Specialist.
A Volunteer-Run, Used Bookstore
LPLFF formed in 2020 when the LPL Friends of the Library and the LPL Foundation merged to better support one another during the pandemic — a dynamic partnership that has thrived ever since.
Together LPLFF staff and volunteers build and maintain relationships with generous donors and operate what has developed into a volunteer-run, used bookstore.
From a pool of over 200 individuals, volunteers work every day to manage daily operations, internet sales, and in-person book sales. The daily operations team accepts donations Monday through Friday from 9 AM–12 PM at the LPLFF garage (located on the west side of the library off of Kentucky Street). Each book is either scanned into the system or recycled if it’s in poor condition or out of date.
“We sadly do have to recycle some books,” Hyde explained. “Like when the ‘How to Do Your Taxes: 1985 Edition’ comes in, it's probably going to go to recycling.”
Three volunteers load up their trucks and haul the books to KU’s recycling center where they are repurposed into tissues and toilet paper.
Books in good condition are scanned for their resale value. Higher-priced books and editions are sold online while the rest are sorted to be sold at the in-person book sales. Over 50 volunteer subject specialists representing over 80 topics and genres then sort the books into sections around the LPLFF garage to be sold at the next book sale, at one of the three Friends Express bookstore locations, or donated to non-profit partners like the O’Connell Children’s Shelter and the United Way BackSnack Brainfood program.
A Welcoming Community of Volunteers
A majority of the volunteers are retirees — each with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share — but individuals of all ages can volunteer. According to Hyde, the lively mix of different backgrounds and perspectives helps the volunteers adapt to new challenges and have fun while doing it.
“They're not afraid to try new things, and they all care about supporting the library. They all share a similar goal, but they also have very different personalities and are so authentically themselves. It’s fun to be around them. I love every minute of it.
Bringing the Joy of Books to Lawrence Readers
Aside from the massive support they provide to the library, LPLFF volunteers share a unified personal mission: getting books into the hands of readers and building connections across the community.
“The Friends volunteers genuinely care about books. They know how stories, education, and information can change people, so they take care to make sure that they put all of the books that are donated to us in the right spot,” Hyde said. “Even though we're getting thousands of books every day, they want to do the right thing with each book. They don't get jaded and say, ‘I've seen this one before,’ you know? They approach it, saying, ‘Somebody's gonna love this.”
To learn more about donating money, books, or your time, visit the Friends & Foundation website.
About Lawrence Public Library
Lawrence Public Library (LPL for short) is a community hub that believes in the power of connecting with each other through shared knowledge and resources. Located in the heart of Downtown Lawrence, Kansas, we are committed to providing a space where our community can learn, connect, create, and grow through access to our vast collections, resources, services, programs, and knowledgeable staff. The library is supported by tax dollars, record-breaking book sales and philanthropic efforts by the LPL Friends & Foundation, and the dedicated efforts of more than 300 volunteers. All are welcome.
