by Ben Trickey, Marketing & Communications Specialist, feat. Angela Hyde, Friends & Foundation Program Coordinator
At the Junction of Lawrence Public Library and Lawrence Transit
Bus passengers looking for something to read on their next commute can visit the newest location of the Friends Express Bookstore at Central Station.
Official signage now hangs above the row of stocked bookshelves in the station lobby, marking the first Friends Express location outside of the library.
Central Station, which opened in January, serves as the city’s bus transfer hub. Located at Bob Billings Parkway and Crestline Drive, the station offers a more central location than the former downtown transfer point. With Lawrence Transit’s goal to create a space where local organizations can engage directly with the community, we identified Central Station as the prime spot to reach readers on the go.
“We were in talks with the transit center about having some library services there,” said Angela Hyde, Friends & Foundation Program Coordinator. “We suggested we could do a Friends Express there as a placeholder, and then they could bring something else in later. But I don't know if they will because it's been doing really well.”
The Friends & Foundation Volunteers Who Make it Possible
A team of volunteers from the Lawrence Public Library Friends & Foundation move the books to the offsite location and keep the shelves organized and restocked. “We've got a good crew,” Hyde said. “And they'll stop by and check to make sure everything’s straightened and check the suggestion box.”
Commuters can request the kinds of books they’d like to see stocked at that location. “The books there tend to be more academic at the moment,” Hyde explained. “A lot of students go there. I know a lot of Haskell students transfer into there, and it’s just down the street from KU.”
How Friends Express Bookstores Support the Library
While payment at the other Friends Express locations relies on the honor system, the service at Central Station is “pay what you can” with a list of suggested prices. Patrons can pay by cash, check, or by scanning the QR code and following the framed instructions posted on the wall.
All proceeds go to the Friends & Foundation, which funds 100% of library programming. 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.
