The Friends of the San Diego Public Library (FSDPL) is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which has been providing support to the San Diego Public Library (SDPL) system for over 40 years. FSDPL is comprised of Friends’ chapters at all 37 libraries in the SDPL system; affiliate chapters at the Central Library and 35 branch libraries operate under FSDPL’s nonprofit status; 2 associate chapters are separately incorporated. FSDPL sets policy and provides structure and support for the 35 affiliate chapters and recognizes volunteers from all 37 chapters at its annual meeting.

FSDPL holds a robust weekend-long monthly book sale which attracts book lovers and booksellers from across the region. Funds raised support our libraries and programs system-wide. Typically FSDPL, together with its affiliate chapters, donates over $500,000 and over 50,000 volunteer hours annually to support our libraries. During the past four decades the Friends have raised and donated millions of dollars to the SDPL. With a Vision of “a thriving and sustainable library system accessible to all,” FSDPL seeks to promote equity across the entire Library system; typically donations from the “greater” FSDPL are directed to the area(s) of greatest need and are matched 1:1 through the City’s Matching Fund program, while donations from individual chapters benefit the associated branch libraries.

FSDPL’s annual “Writing for Literacy” essay contest provided encouragement to over 20,000 4th, 8th and 10th grade aspiring young writers throughout San Diego during its 20-year run. Through the John McAllister Memorial Library Scholarship program, FSDPL offers scholarships annually to library staff members enrolled in degree or certificate programs in Library and Information Science or related fields. Past McAllister Scholarship recipients have subsequently been promoted to serve as Youth Services Librarians, Library Branch Managers, and other librarian positions. In honor of the 100th birthday of longtime volunteer ET Perry, FSDPL established the ET Perry Centennial Chapter Grant program to assist Friends chapters facing organizational challenges with financial and mentoring support; the first grants were awarded in 2022.

FSDPL Annual Meetings have featured such speakers as authors Susan Vreeland and Wanjiru Warama, both the current and former KPBS General Managers, Deanna Mackay and Tom Karlo, and San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten. As part of the celebration of our 40th anniversary and National Library Week in 2019, FSDPL brought nationally best-selling author Cory Doctorow to San Diego for a provocative and timely talk.

FSDPL has been increasing its presence in the larger community. In addition to the participation of individual chapters at events in their local communities, FSDPL has exhibited at the All People’s Breakfast, has had a booth at the U-T San Diego Festival of Books each year as well as other citywide events, has supported the Library’s involvement in the San Diego Pride Parade, and in 2019 was invited to host a booth at the Pride Festival as well.

FSDPL has engaged in highly effective library advocacy since inception and now, in collaboration with the San Diego Public Library Foundation and the Board of Library Commissioners, is a vital partner in the LibrariesTransformSD coalition. Advocacy efforts are directed at city, state and national levels.