ABOUT US
The Orinda Library began in 1914 as a small book collection in the local schoolhouse. From 1956-1958, Orindans raised $115,000 to build the first library on Irwin Way. Years later, the new library was built as a partnership—the Friends of the Orinda Library own the physical building, the City of Orinda owns the land, and the library is operated by the Contra Costa County Library system.
The Orinda Library is the only Friends-owned library in the county. The Friends of the Orinda Library were formed in the 1950s. From 1997-2001, we raised over 75% of the funds (over five million dollars) to build the new library that you see today. The Friends of the Orinda Library play a central role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the library. We have also been a driving force behind several parcel tax campaigns to provide funds to keep our library open 56 hours per week. The Friends of the Orinda Library is a 501(c)(3) California non-profit corporation made up of over 500 local residents and is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. WHAT WE DO
The Friends of the Orinda Library purchase many of the library’s new materials each year, including:
- New books
- DVDs, including popular movies, TV shows, and documentaries
- Audiobooks
- Magazine and periodical subscriptions
In addition, the Friends fund many of the library’s enrichment programs for children, teens, and adults, including:
- Speaker Programs
- The Summer Reading Programs
- Lamorinda Reads
- Paws to Read
- Annual Poul Anderson Creative Writing Contest for high school students
- The Summer and Winter Concert Series
The Friends also refresh library furnishings and spaces. HOW WE DO WHAT WE DO
The Friends of the Orinda Library funds these wonderful programs in two ways:
• Memberships, and
• Book sales through the Friends' Bookshop, monthly sales, and online book sales.
