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Friends of Porter Public Library

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.

Friends Programming Pavilion with Friends on dedication day

Check out the library's latest meeting venue—the new outdoor Friends Pavilion. Not only is it a lovely location for library-sponsored programs for all ages, but the pavilion can be reserved by members of the community for meetings and events.

sample laser-engraved brick reads Friends of Westlake Porter Public Library

ORDER A COMMEMORATIVE BRICK for the new Friends' Pavilion walkway! The walkway is part of the outdoor programming area and pavilion access. The first group of bricks have been installed—come check them out! The FINAL brick order will be placed April 1, 2024.

Friends of Porter Public Library was founded in 1972 with the mission of supporting the library through volunteer service and monetary contributions. Since then the Friends have contributed over $1,000,000 and countless volunteer hours to the library. Check out this documentary produced in honor of their 50 years of service!

Book Nook Used Book Room

Book Nook in the lobby

The Book Nook is a used book store located in the library lobby near the Welcome desk and operated by the volunteer Friends of Porter Public Library.

Used books, CDs, DVDs and puzzles donated to the Friends, as well as items removed from the library's collection, are on sale to the public.

You won't find more reasonable prices anywhere! Most paperbacks are $0.25 or $1.00, most hardbound books are $1.00, children’s books are $0.50 or less and recent library discards are $2.00. There are several shelves of special priced items, too.

Hours

Monday: 3 p.m.–7 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Thursday: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

When the Book Nook is closed, please visit the $1 shelves located in the lobby.

Book Nook dollar shelves

Donations

The Book Nook accepts donations of books, media and other items in good condition. Items are sold in the Book Nook and at the Friends' Annual Big Book Sale to benefit the library. Please review the guidelines for acceptable materials.

Learn more about the Friends of Porter Public Library!
Join the Friends of Porter Public Library

Join Now!

Memberships

  •  Individual - $10.00
  •  Family - $15.00
  •  Patron - $25.00
  •  Silver Patron - $50.00
  •  Golden Patron - $100.00

Benefits

  • Free Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream coupon
  • Used Book Buck for use in the Book Nook
  • 10% Dean's Greenhouse discount (when you show your membership card)
  • Admission to Preview Night for the Friends' Annual Big Book Sale

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).

Annual Book Sale

Kids and adults at the book sale in 2021

The 2024 Friends’ Annual Big Book Sale is scheduled for October 17-20, 2024, with Preview Night on October 16 for Friends members.

If you would like to help with the sale, please indicate that on your membership form, email the Friends, or leave a message on the Friends' voicemail. (Book Sale volunteers do not need to be Friends members.) 


We now accept Apple Pay, Google Wallet, VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.

 

History

friends of porter public library historyOrganized 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.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities with Friends of Porter Public Library are available in the following areas.

  • The Book Nook - selling, sorting, and organizing books
  • October Annual Big Book Sale - sorting and organizing books before the sale; working during the Preview Night or sale

Please contact us if you are interested.

Recent Projects

Friends has funded many projects over the years: here are just a few!

Friends Pavilion

outdoor Friends Pavilion at WPPL

Pre-School Play Area Renovation

wppl youth services

Minivan

Friends has purchased minivans for the library to use for delivery to the homebound.

wppl mini van

The Friends group also funds many library programs and events throughout the year, such as the Summer Library Challenge.

Thank You

Brigette Ruszkowski, Realtor® of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Friends Newsletter

Contact the Friends

Lynn Pettyjohn, President

Mailing address

Friends of Porter Public Library
27333 Center Ridge Road
Westlake, Ohio 44145

Please call

(440) 250-5562