Supporting the Hyde Park Branch Library through fundraising, volunteer work, educational programs, cultural events, and community support.
Support the FriendsA community organization dedicated to strengthening the Hyde Park Branch Library and expanding opportunities for library users.
The Friends of the Hyde Park Branch Library was established in 1981 and is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) organization.
The Friends were established to support adult and children's programs at the Hyde Park Branch Library. Through fundraising, volunteer efforts, and community involvement, the organization helps provide additional resources and programs for library users.
As library programming continues to grow and budgets face ongoing challenges, the Friends work to help meet the needs of the branch and the diverse community it serves.
The Friends regularly support programs and activities for children, teens, adults, families, and the wider Hyde Park community.
Supporting a successful outdoor summer concert series for the Hyde Park community.
Supporting indoor musical entertainment and speaker programs.
Supporting children's storytellers, entertainers, craft activities, and educational programming.
Supporting the ongoing Chess and Checkers with Charley program.
Community book sales help raise funds to support the library and its programs.
Providing snacks and additional support for programs serving teens.
The Friends provide resources that help expand programs, improve collections, and enhance the library environment.
In 2019, the Friends received Boston Community Preservation funds for a Hyde Park Historical Garden planned for the Everett Street side of the library.
The project includes plans to clean and install two figures from the 1915 train station as local art. A foundation stone from the former 1985 St. Catherine School in the Fairmont area is also planned as part of the garden.
Benches are planned as part of the garden, creating a space that can celebrate Hyde Park history while providing an additional community gathering area.
The Friends anticipate continued requests from library staff for supplies and financial support as annual budget pressures and increases in programming costs continue.
The organization also sees a growing need for additional programming because of the increasing number and diversity of people using the library.
Community support helps the Friends continue responding to these needs and strengthening the Hyde Park Branch Library.
There are several ways you can help support the Hyde Park Branch Library and the work of the Friends.
Renew a lapsed membership and continue supporting the Friends.
Give someone a Friends membership and help support the library.
Contribute to help fund programs, supplies, and library resources.
Volunteer a few hours each month by working with a Friends committee.
Connect with the Friends and learn more about supporting the Hyde Park Branch Library.