Memberships

Membership to the Friends of the Joplin Public Library is open to individuals, families, businesses and other organizations, regardless of card-holder status or city of residence.

Annual membership dues are offered at a variety of levels:

Students (under 18 years old): $5.00
Individual: $10.00
Family (all immediate household members): $20.00
Contributor: $50.00
Supporter: $100.00
Leading: $250.00
Founding Member: $1,000.00

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Benefits

  • Most rewarding is the satisfaction gained by knowing your support improves and enriches the library and, in turn, the community, but your generosity will be further rewarded in other ways.
  • Members will receive a special promotional Friends of the Joplin Public Library vinyl sticker. Feature it prominently on your car, laptop, notebook or even your water bottle.
  • Members will receive invitations to attend exclusive Friends-sponsored events.
  • Members will be offered special opportunities to volunteer at the library, such as assisting with book sale events or delivering books to the homebound.
  • Founding members will receive recognition on the Friends website.
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FAQ’s

HOW did the Friends group start?

Over the past several months, a board of six working with the Library director and a member of the Joplin Public Library Board have successfully incorporated, drafted and adopted by-laws, attained 501(C)(3) status and developed short- and long-term goals.

WHO has brought the Friends of the Joplin Library to this point in time?

The Friends board members have a variety of experience in library board membership, other community 501(C)(3) organizations and as users of the Library. The Joplin Public Library Board has endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Friends of the Joplin Public Library Board, clearing the way for the organizations to work together.

WHY form a Friends group?

Thriving communities need strong library programs and services. Thriving libraries can better serve their community when partnered with users that desire to help see library programs grow and expand. Friends groups exist for this purpose.

WHAT is envisioned for a thriving Friends group for JPL?

Individual, family and other types of memberships will provide financial support beyond the Library's annual operating budget. The Friends will sponsor special events, such as author visits, and encourage volunteer work with the Library, such as annual book sales and delivering books to the homebound. Participation can vary according to interest and ability. The Friends will encourage gifts and bequests to the Library and engage in services that are deemed helpful to the Library mission. All of this will be in cooperation with the Library Board and its director as they will have final say in gifts accepted and activities carried out for the Library.

WHERE does the Friends group go from here?

To build on this firm foundation, the Friends board needs interested partners to help identify and contact potential members. The goal is to launch a membership drive as the Library prepares to celebrate five years in its new building and 120 years of service to Joplin.

WHEN do we need to act?

NOW is the time to act with fresh faces and additional ideas! Will you join us?

Volunteer

digital application with first name, last name, phone number, email, address, favorite book and/or author, area’s of interest: choose between membership, book sales, welcome table, social media. Application will be sent to info@friendsofthejpl.org

Volunteers are an important and vital component of the Friends of the Joplin Public Library. Opportunities for volunteers are currently being curated and organized. Please check back soon to select a way in which you’d be interested in helpings us support JPL.

In the meantime, we encourage you to become a Friends member by clicking below button.

A nonprofit organization, the Friends of the Joplin Public Library exists to

Foster ‘support for ever-growing ‘opportunities at JPL

Raise funds to enhance library services

Improve community awareness of JPL and its offerings

Encourage and guide volunteer support

Notify local officials about the important role of libraries and library appropriations

Develop stronger relationships with support organizations and donors

Sponsor special events, workshops and other activities for all ages

Our mission of offering support to the library will be made possible through the generosity of people like you.

Events