About The Friends of the Ramona Library

Founded in 1985, the Friends of the Ramona Library are dedicated to making our local public library the best it can be. Their hard work has gained the Friends a reputation among San Diego County Library staff as one of the most enthusiastic and effective Friends groups in the county system. They have obtained the needed funding for three previous library expansions, creating a patio, community room, and later a literacy center.

The Friends serve the book-loving community through their monthly used book sales, which raise money for special children's programs and to buy new books, videotapes, and audiotapes for the library's collection. The Friends also recruit volunteers to work with the library staff for shelving books, reading to children, working in the literacy program, and other tasks. The quarterly newsletter - "The Friendly Waves" - contains news about library events and projects and is mailed to all members. In the past few years, the Friends have devoted additional energy toward the goal of a new library by creating a special committee, which has raised $132,000 in cash and close to $650,000 in pledges toward the new library. Altogether, the Friends' efforts represent thousands of volunteer hours per year.

Membership in the Friends is open to all. The organization is led by a board of directors elected from the general membership.

The new library will enable the San Diego County Library to expand their services to the community. The meeting room and patio will offer new opportunities for more lectures, cultural events and other programs. An outdoor coffee bar will add to the ambience. The Friends' bookstore will make it possible to increase the used-book sales, providing even more funds for helping the library.

The Friends of the Ramona Library are registered as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.