The History of Friends of the Palo Alto Library

In 1938, the Friends of the Palo Alto Library (FOPAL) met at the Mayfield Library and formed "the only such organization in the state and perhaps on the Pacific Coast......to help Palo Alto's fledgling library" (1/27/1938, San Jose Mercury-Herald).  These volunteers formed a remarkable non-profit organization that has continued to make substantial contributions to Palo Alto.  The Library is a lasting enhancement of Palo Alto, and FOPAL's mission, "to support the Library" spans 64 years.

Twenty five Palo Alto community leaders revived FOPAL in 1947, in order "......to provide a body of informed citizens, who will see that the library is given proper recognition..." and by March, 1948 another San Jose Mercury-Herald headline would read: "Town of Readers" Has Unique Group in Friends of Library.  In 1956, FOPAL demonstrated exceptional leadership and community involvement with the formation of the Palo Alto Representative Citizen's Library Action Committee attracting representatives from diverse public institutions (see below).  This spirit of collaboration is still a FOPAL hallmark and today includes a variety of joint ventures that positively affect the quality of life for a broad spectrum of Palo Altan's (see below, especially items 1, 3, 4, 7, 16 & 20).

Quietly and steadily, FOPAL members continue to volunteer in Palo Alto's libraries and at the monthly Booksales which accounts for a major portion of the over $800,000 FOPAL has given to the City to support libraries since the 1980's.  The timeliness of this impact (hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours) is enhanced by the ever increasing revenue stream FOPAL provides with a variety of fund raisers including an Annual Fund Drive, FOPAL Endowment Fund, Life Memberships and Library Lovers Fund.

The diversity of individuals impacted by FOPAL is amazing. FOPAL sponsors the Non-English Collection in Russian and Spanish, the Adult Chinese Collection, English as a Second Language texts, and the Latino Outreach Fair and Multi-cultural programs.  For the disabled, on numerous occasions, FOPAL has funded the purchasing of various assistive technologies (print enlargers, 12 non-glare screens for computer terminals) and gave a $10,000 Multimedia Presentation "to increase community awareness" of available services and "to encourage (its) greater use" in 1986.  In 1988, FOPAL started sponsoring Operation Homebound and Talking Books.  For children and families, FOPAL underwrites the venerable Summer Reading Program, the Under the Umbrella Storytelling in Parks, Starlight Specials, Toddler and Preschool Story Times, the Youth Library Use Pilot Program and most recently, the "Meet Your World @ the Library" in Spring, 2001 (this is a partial list).

FOPAL's breadth of contribution is commendable.  FOPAL bought the first personal computer for Main Library in 1983 and later expanded the library's technology by purchasing the first VCR player, more computers and video cassettes, followed by the underwriting of CD ROMs and a CD ROM work station, color printers and microfilm readers/printers.  FOPAL also continues to sponsor the library's musical instruments, tables, live plants and even a magazine program with Palo Alto's sister city, Palo, Philippines.  In addition to funding honorariums for programs and even purchasing the Children's Library May Fete Parade Banner, FOPAL sponsored "Coming Soon to a Library Near You - Trends in Library Technology" an all day workshop for staff development in 1999.

FOPAL initiated a joint private/public partnership with the City of Palo Alto, the Children's Library Feasibility Study building program, which continues as a FOPAL $115,000 commitment for FY 2002 to fund architectural conceptual designs of library facilities at Main Library and Mitchell Park Library as well.

The FOPAL Booksales makes an exceptional civic contribution and is a service to the community with its recycling program (a 1998 PA Business Recycling Award winner) and contributions of used books to Palo Alto schools and many other communities (including NorCal Indian Reservations).

With originality, in 1979, FOPAL started an Annual Awards Tea that honored local authors Wallace Stegner and Anna Wu Weakland and in 1983, sponsored "The History and Art of the American Quilt" and "The Heritage of Uppity Women" projects. FOPAL funded the "Libraries of the Future - Looking Ahead" a "Palo Alto Centennial Event" in 1993 and the 1994 "Library Technology Forum."  As is always the case, every FOPAL sponsored event is free to the public and accessible to all.

FOPAL's mission statement has remained the same: "to support the library."  Today, FOPAL strives to continue through its volunteers' talent, time and efforts to advocate and promote the same sentiments as were expressed in FOPAL's 1967 correspondence to the Mayor's office: the Friends of the Palo Alto Library supports Palo Alto's library for the benefit of "the confirmed Palo Alto borrower who reads many books and who has been responsible for Palo Alto's long record of widest library use of any city in the state."

Additional Dates and Events of Interest

Additional Highlights of Funding Sponsorships

1. City of Palo Alto Capital Improvement Project funding, $100,000 for architectural conceptual design work on library facilities, FY2002.
2. The Lizard Lady; Mara Presents: Story Songs; Bonzai Bunnell, The Juggling Tornado; funds to directly benefit staff needs, 2001.
3. Children's Library Feasibility Study and Historic Preservation, FOPAL equal match and pro bono project management in a public/private partnership with City of Palo Alto, 2000.
4. Fund collection titles to support PAUSD elementary and middle school students homework assignments in conjunction with Homework Center development, 1999.
5. Latino Outreach Fair; Multicultural programs @ Mitchell Park, 1999.
6. English as a Second Language texts; Library Staff Awards, 1998.
7. Dictionary of Art and Reception with PA Fine Arts Department, 1997.
8. Underwriting of leasing contract to enhance New Titles at all branches, 1996.
9. Russian and Spanish Non-English collection, 1995.
10. Books on Tape; Juvenile CD ROMs; CD ROM work station; Library Technology Forum, 1994.
11. 12 non-glare computer screens; Microfilm reader/printer, 1992.
12. Print enlarger; large capacity outside book drop at Children's Library, 1990.
13. Talking Books; new computer catalog for all six libraries 1989.
14. Operation Homebound; TV monitor and cart; Juvenile collection support; Library Programs, 1988.
15. South Bay Cooperative Library System Representative's expenses, 1987.
16. Library Volunteer Recognition Luncheon; Multi-Media Show, 1986.
17. Computers; VCR players; honorariums for programs, 1985.
18. Personal computer at Main Library; support for program development, 1983.
19. Periodicals Display Racks; furniture, 1979.
20. Support for establishment of College Terrace Day Care Center adjacent to library, 1974.
21. Audiocassettes for public circulation at Main Library, 1972.
22. Under the Umbrella Storytelling in Parks; children's programs, 1970.
23. Microfilm readers and printers for resource libraries, 1969.