2008 Book & Author Luncheon brochures now available in the library! Thursday, May 8, 11:45 a.m. Clubhouse at Harbor Links More info

The Friends of the Port Washington Public Library (FOL) is dedicated to strengthening the ties between our library and community, and to advancing the library’s mission as a center for life-long learning, information and culture.  The FOL supports the library through volunteerism, programming, fundraising, outreach and advocacy.  Founded in 1966, the FOL is an independent, nonprofit organization.

Annual support from the Friends is counted upon to supplement each department’s programming budget. For example, the FOL supports programs ranging from Children’s Services' “Great Library Card Adventure” to the popular “Sandwiched In” lunchtime series for adults. The FOL is also the sole sponsor of the library's popular new Museum Pass program. See the FOL Events page for information on our own special programming such as the annual Book & Author Luncheon. The FOL also funds special small-scale initiatives such as the lobby bulletin boards, outdoor drop boxes, oral history publications, tote bags and backpacks, and equipment and subscriptions for the ESOL program.

In addition, the FOL oversees the Ruth D. Bogen Memorial Collection, which is devoted exclusively to literary classics and other works of significance. The Collection is supported by the Bogen Fund, an endowment that has purchased more than 1,200 volumes for our library. Just in the last two years, the Fund has contributed nearly $25,000 to the library's book budget.

The FOL is the primary sponsor of the library's online initiatives, and provided a major gift to redesign the library website. To see the Port Washington News front-page article on this gift click here. The FOL continues to support new features on the website. For example, the FOL is the sole sponsor of free online homework help for 4th-12th graders via tutor.com.