Friends of the Brainerd Public Library

Friends Of The Brainerd Public Library are a group of amazing volunteers who have a love for our local library.

Every Library Needs Good Friends!

Our Friends group works hard to find ways to raise awareness and funding to support our local library, the Brainerd Public Library. We support our library through numerous projects including new book, audiobook, board game, Wonderbooks & DVD purchases to supplement the Library, Book club in a bag program (10 copies of one book to be checked out for groups), Bestseller Books program, Brown Bag Author Event series, Summer Reading Program for children, Used Book Sales (some Tuesdays, Big Spring & Fall sales), Battle of the Books, Wine and Words, Books Burgers and Brews - A monthly community Book Club and so much more!

We believe that our local library is an invaluable asset to everyone in our community. Libraries level the playing field, serving people of every age, income level, ethnicity, and physical ability and providing the full range of information resources needed to thrive in every facet of life. Libraries are community hubs, connecting people to information and connecting people to people! And, of course, Libraries are committed to helping children and adults develop the literacy skills needed to survive and thrive in an information society. 

So far in 2024, thanks to our generous community, The Friends of the Brainerd Public Library have invested over $30,000 in projects supporting the Brainerd Public Library and our community. Your contributions help to make this happen. The Brainerd Public Library is YOUR library, we want to make it the best it can be. 

Friends of the Brainerd Public Library 2024 Projects

• Wonderbooks Collection - $5,000 for 100 next-generation read-along books with audio player for kids ages 3-12.
• Bestseller Books Collection - $3,000 to purchase extra copies of the most popular book titles (these babies FLY off the shelves!)
• Book Clubs in a Bag - $500 for new Book Clubs in a Bag (10 copies of a book plus a discussion guide in a bag).
• Brown Bag Author events - $5,200 for Minnesota authors to speak at the Library every first Monday of the month (exception of holidays), and most Mondays in June and July for our Summer Author program. So far this year we've had 14 events with over 580 attendees!
• Tablet Station - $14,450 for a checkout station with six tablets to allow patrons access to the internet, Zoom meetings, etc. in the Library
• Books, Burgers & Brews - $2,000 to support our public book club. This year we have had 5 events with over 140 attendees!
• Makedo Invention Kit - $189.95 for this super cool STEM learning kit for the Library's children's programming. 
• Tabletop games - $500 to grow the Library's collection of games available for all ages. 
• Tonie Boxes - $500 to purchase these Listen-and-Sing storytelling toys for children to checkout. 
• Children's Area Programming - $300.38 to purchase early learning toys, Children's Reading Program prizes and more!
• Scholarship Program - $4,500 to award 3 Brainerd High School seniors with a $1,500 scholarship for a 2- or 4-year postsecondary degree.
• Battle of the Books - $2,950 to provide Battle of the Books participants with a certificate for $10 at their school's fall Scholastic Book Fair.