Kalamazoo Public Library

The Friends of the Kalamazoo Public Library is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the library as an essential institution in our community.

In 2019, Friends of the Kalamazoo Public Library celebrates its 60th anniversary. For more than six decades, the Friends of Kalamazoo Public Library have encouraged reading and literacy by underwriting library sponsored reading outreach programs and by operating the Friends Bookstore year-round as a source of affordable reading for everyone. Organized in 1860 and opened to the general public in 1872, Kalamazoo Public Library now serves a district population of 116,000 through five locations plus multiple outreach ventures. Many Southwest Michigan residents use Kalamazoo Public Library through reciprocal agreements with neighboring libraries.