Friends of the Arcata Library

06/10/2026

Book Donations!
Friends of the Arcata Library
are accepting book donations. Gently used fiction and children's books.

06/06/2026

Join the Friends of the Arcata Library for a book sale on Saturday, June 20th. All proceeds go towards purchasing books on the librarian's wish list. Children's books always free!

04/27/2026

Join the Friends of the Arcata Library for a book sale on Saturday, June 20th.

04/24/2026

Bring your own book! Read together and share if you choose to do so. No assignments. FREE!
Susan Parsons, Arcata's Supervising Librarian, (until her retirement on May 29), will welcome you to this Happy Hour for Introverts. Next will be Monday, May 4th :-)

02/03/2026

As per always on this most holy of mammal holidays, Groundhog's Day, March Mammal Madness launches our annual tournament page!

In 2026, in honor of 10 tournaments of the MMM LibGuide at ASU Library, March Mammal Madness Celebrates LIBRARIES! More than books, and definitely more than admonishments to shush, Libraries are incredible collections of human knowledge, information, imagination, and creativity. And library workers are your guides on the side to it all!

Bookmark the LibGuide- a lot is under construction ahead of the bracket drop, but the calendar (and educator mmmaterials sign-up) are LIVE https://libguides.asu.edu/MarchMammalMadness

OH AND, the first combatant clue is 9780316585835.

01/23/2026

📰 COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT PRESS RELEASE: The Humboldt County Public Library is asking residents to share their library experiences as part of a statewide effort called “Every Story Counts…A Week in the Life of Your Public Library.”

From Sunday, Jan. 25 through Saturday, Jan. 31, the Humboldt County Public Library will invite community members to share stories about how and why they use their local libraries.

You can take part by completing a short survey online at HumLib.org, filling out a paper survey at any Humboldt County Public Library branch or by posting stories, videos or photos and using on social media.

Additionally, during the week of Jan. 25-31, library staff will take photos and videos of library programs and services and encourage patrons to share their own library stories. Whether you are bringing your child to story time, watching a movie, visiting the Bookmobile, using library computers, creating a 3D print, checking out items from books to telescopes, asking a question, accessing home delivery services through the Library at Your Door program, or one of the many other things you can do at your local library, the Humboldt County Public Library wants to capture your stories.

Gathering data through Every Story Counts will help the state gain a fuller understanding of how and why local libraries are used. Your participation will help the California State Library demonstrate the vital role local public libraries play in education, community connection, workforce development and civic engagement.

Your input will also help your local libraries better serve the community, and the Humboldt County Public Library encourages everyone to take part.

“We’re excited to hear directly from the community about their library experiences,” said Chris Cooper, Humboldt County’s Director of Library Services. “Our dedicated library staff work hard to provide a wide range of programs, materials and services for the community to enjoy. The feedback we gather through Every Story Counts will not only help the state, but it will also help us better serve our wonderful library patrons here in Humboldt County.”

To learn more about the library’s broad range of programs and services, or find a local library near you, please visit HumLib.org.

📸 Pictured: A wonderful Lunar New Year story time event at the Humboldt County Public Library's Arcata Branch. Photo by Matt Filar.

Humboldt County Library - Arcata Branch
Humboldt County Library - Eureka Main Branch
Humboldt County Library - Fortuna Branch
Humboldt County Library - McKinleyville Branch
Humboldt County Library - Rio Dell Branch
Humboldt County Library - Trinidad Branch

11/22/2025

Arcata Library invites families to help us find the Gingerbread Man, who said "Can't Catch Me, I'm the Gingerbread Man," ran out the door, and is hiding in windows & window displays across downtown Arcata! Pick up a gameboard at Arcata Library, find as many as you can, and return it by Dec 13 in time for our Gingerbread Storytime. :-)

11/22/2025

Thanks to all who came to enjoy an art reception at Humboldt County Library - Arcata Branch tonight featuring OWL art by Arcata Elementary School 3rd graders! It was great seeing families who wanted to see art created by their students and enjoy cider and muffins with FOAL members!
Also, here are some pictures of the lovely flowers still blooming in the fall tended to by our volunteer gardener Fred. Next month the party will be Friday, December 12. Hope to see you there! :-)

09/17/2025

Save the Date! More details will come soon, but we are excited to share the date for a lovely mini-gala Tea Party fall fundraiser coming up on Sunday, November 30. We hope you will be able to join us!
It will be in Arcata and hosted by Shoshanna. Ticket information will be announced in the next week or so. Stay tuned!

08/29/2025

The Friends of the Arcata Library (or FOAL) is excited to help support the Arcata Library in offering great books for all ages... including non-fiction picture books from Junior Library Guild!

Arcata Library thanks the Friends of the Arcata Library for bringing us wonderful non-fiction books for children through our subscription to Junior Library Guild. This month we received Hurricane by Jason Chin and The Secret Life of a Sea Turtle by Maddalena Bearzi. Yay friends! :-)