About Us

Founded in 1973, Friends of West Florida Public Library is a nonprofit, community membership organization supporting our public library for more than 40 years. The Friends is an active group of local citizens who strengthen the county’s public library system through library advocacy, creative learning, and literacy support. Our mission is to advocate for literacy and learning in the community and the West Florida Public Library by expanding resources and fostering their availability.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Friends of West Florida Public Library, Inc. does not and shall not discriminate on the basis  of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry),  disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or  operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, the appointment to and termination  from its Board of Directors, hiring and firing of staff or contractors, selection of volunteers,  selection of vendors, and providing of services. 

-Adopted January 10, 2022

Leadership

The Friends of WFPL is governed by a board of directors. Each board member is elected by the membership at the annual meeting and serves a two year term. A board member may be eligible to renew their term upon approval for a maximum of six years. Members also elect an executive board made up of a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.

Board of Directors

Elisabeth Buswell

Ann Kelly

Kathy McCartan

Sandra Reed

Janet Reeves

Kim Stefansson

Joe Vinson

Linda Williams

Executive Board

Elisabeth Buswell, President

Linda Williams, Vice President

Kathy McCartan, Secretary

Sandra Reed, Treasurer

Initiatives

The Friends support a wide variety of projects at our libraries. Each year, the Friends provide major funding to support the WFPL Summer Reading Program, during which nearly 3,000 kids read over the summer, attend fun and informative programs, and have the chance to win an awesome assortment of prizes.

A sample of our recent projects include: