Our Impact
Summer Reading. Author events. New technology. Better spaces. Outreach beyond the library walls. Since 2010, Friends support has helped the Orange County Public Library do more for its community. Here’s where that support has gone.
Browse by year or filter by funding area to see what Friends support has made possible.
Funded the library’s full 2026 request across both branches: the River Park kickoff, program t-shirts, and children’s, teen and adult programming for the Unearth New Adventures season, from performers and weekly prizes to raffle baskets and wrap-up celebrations.
Backed the 2025 season, A Rainbow of Possibilities, with performers, prizes and programs across both branches.
Funded the children’s side of the 2024 Summer Reading season.
Funded the teen side of the 2024 season, approved together with the youth request.
Carried the 2023 season, We All Bee-Long at the Library, through both months of summer programming.
Backed Oceans of Possibilities for readers recovering from pandemic learning loss: weekly prizes, raffle prizes, Scholastic book giveaways and the opening magic show.
Kept Summer Learning going through the curbside season, with kickoff books and prizes for Tails and Tales.
Moved Summer Reading online when the building closed: weekly video challenges, printed game boards, Book Bingo and prizes for the Grow With Us! season.
Funded A Universe of Stories a season ahead: approved and paid in December 2018 so the library could plan 2019’s summer early.
Backed the Libraries Rock! season with performers, prizes and programs for readers of all ages.
Funded the kickoff event and the programs that ran through the summer.
Printed t-shirts for staff and volunteers working the summer program, with the Friends’ logo on every shirt.
Covered kickoff activities, alongside a gift from the Triangle Community Foundation and library operating funds.
Set up a snow cone station at the kickoff, put three Kindle Fires up as grand prizes, and stocked weekly prizes for elementary-age readers.
Helped throw the library’s first big Summer Reading kickoff, the June celebration remembered in sidewalk chalk: “Thanks to the Friends of the Library.”
Stocked summer reading prizes and stickers, topped by two Kindle Fires for the adult and teen winners.
Every project on this page started with a library need and community support. Join the Friends or make a gift to help make the next one possible.
