Friends of A.K. Smiley Public Library

09/06/2026

A new set of curated offerings at the Silent Auction of the A.K. Smiley Public Library Bookstore is ongoing 9/3-9/17! Bid in-person, anytime the library is open, and you will be notified if you win.

09/05/2026

The Friends are hosting a book launch!

Local author Tracy Wise's comes out this month, and the Redlands book launch will take place on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Contemporary Club (173 S. Eureka Street)!

There will be a presentation, a chance for some Q&A, and then a book signing. Please join us!!

09/04/2026

The clock is ticking .... the September Bag Sale is almost here!
Saturday, September 5, 2026
10:30 - 11:30AM Members Only
11:30AM - 4:30 PM All are welcome!
$5/bag for members; $8/bag for non-members
**Two-bag maximum**
Join at the sale!!!

08/28/2026

The Friends in the press!

The Friends’ monthly bag sale returns Sept. 5, with shoppers invited to fill a bag with books for $5 for members or $8 for non-members.

08/27/2026

We 🌺 Dolly!

The impact that Dolly Parton made to our world is immeasurable...her talent, her charity, her light and love for all. One of the ways that she contributed was through the creation of the Imagination Library. Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write Dolly started her Imagination Library in 1995 for the children within her home county. Today, her program spans five countries and gifts millions of free books each month to children around the world! Thank you Dolly for all you did, your work continues even if you are no longer with us. Rest easy, we will always love you. https://imaginationlibrary.com/

08/26/2026

There is not much time left to take advantage of this bananas deal at the Friends of A.K. Smiley Library bookstore on the lower level of A. K. Smiley Public Library

08/25/2026

💔💔💔
Thank you, Dolly!

ALA is heartbroken at the passing of country music legend, cultural icon, and champion of literacy Dolly Parton.

Dolly’s award-winning Imagination Library initiative, inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, has put hundreds of millions of free books into the hands of children across America and was considered by her to be one of her greatest achievements.

“We’re giving books to kids who wouldn’t have a chance to get them otherwise,” she told American Libraries in a 2018 interview. “A lot of people think this is just for poor children—it’s for all children. It’s important to get books into the hands of any child that we can.”

ALA was proud to confer Dolly with an honorary lifetime membership, the Association’s highest honor, in 2023 for her lasting impact on librarianship, libraries, and the communities they serve.

Dolly was also part of ALA’s Celebrity READ campaign, in which she holds a copy of 'The Little Engine That Could.'

“I’ve always related to that book because I’m the little engine that did!” she said.

Thank you, Dolly. ❤️

08/24/2026

Please join us for the Friends Monthly Bag sale on Saturday, September 5, 2026, downstairs in the Friends Bookstore.

10:30 - 11:30AM are for members only (and you can join at the sale!!)
11:30AM - 4:30PM All are welcome!

$5/bag for members; $8/bag for non-members
**two bag maximum* and extra-large bags count as two bags

Please join us as we support our beloved Smiley Public Library!

08/24/2026

New special selection of books for the Silent Auction in the lobby at A. K. Smiley Public Library ! Auction ends 9/3, get in your bids this week to take home these treasures.

08/15/2026

Volunteers are needed to sort donated books, restock the bookstore shelves, and work as cashiers in the bookstore and at special sales. Volunteers are also needed to work with the auction team and to help with publicity and marketing. If you’ve ever considered becoming a volunteer with the Friends, now’s the time! Please email [email protected] for more information on volunteering.