Friends of the Allen Public Library

The Friends of the Allen Public Library is an all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the Allen Public Library by providing funds and programs that would not otherwise be possible.

Any person interested in supporting the Library may become a member upon paying dues for the membership level they are interested in and by filing a completed application card at the Library.

friends

Endowment Fund
The Friends of the Allen Public Library Endowment Fund, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was created to increase the long-term financial strength of the library, enriching its capabilities and expanding its potential for the benefit of all Allen residents.

What Do the Friends Do?
The Friends support the Allen Public Library.  Your membership dues and donations help the Friends sponsor library programming such as:

Bach to Books
A free arts program for the community, presented in partnership with the Allen Arts Alliance and the Allen Public Library.  These programs feature artists, writers, and musicians.  Check out a few past performances.

ALLen Reads  
ALLen Reads is an annual community project in which a book is chosen for the whole community to read and discuss.  

Activities include book discussion groups, an author visit, a movie, a play, and other guest speakers.  The whole community gets involved!

Adult Summer Reading Club
Adults ages 18+ can read a book for a chance to win a prize.  The prizes are usually gift cards to area businesses in the amount of $10-$20, but can vary by year.

Volunteen Appreciation
The Allen Public Library accepts an average of 100 teenage volunteers each summer to become VolunTeens - an indispensable part of our summer programming.  The VolunTeens assist with story times, summer programs and with our Summer Reading Clubs. The Friends of the Allen Library support the VolunTeen program by sponsoring the End of Summer VolunTeen Party, an exciting evening of food, games and appreciation.  In 2015, the Friends instituted a second sponsorship of the VolunTeens with the VolunTeen Appreciation party, and event which honors the 70 teenagers who volunteer during the school year, and gives special recognition to the graduating senior VolunTeens.

Summer VolunTeens resize

Book Sale
Located in the hall across from the Food for Thought Cafe, the Friends' book sale offers gently used books for all ages, magazines, DVDs, Blu-rays, and CDs at bargain prices. Please review Allen Public Library's donation guidelines.

Also sponsored by the Friends:

  • E-Audiobooks
  • Library Staff Appreciation
  • Professional Staff Development
  • Teen Volunteer Scholarship

Bach to Books Past Performances