About Us

Mission:
The Long Beach Public Library Foundation provides support to enhance the Long Beach Public Library and encourages literacy and education for all members of the community.

History: The Long Beach Public Library Foundation is an independent 501 (c) (3) non-profit operating Foundation, established in 1996 by concerned citizens when Long Beach libraries ranked near the bottom nationwide in per capita spending on books, materials and programs for youth. While funding has been reduced, the need for information has never been greater. Long Beach continues to trail nationwide in per capita spending on books and materials. Today the Foundation continues to raise funds to supplement youth programs, purchase books and materials that cannot be supplied with city funds. The Foundation provides support and oversees programs such as the 12 neighborhood Family Learning Centers and Raising A Reader, designed to promote literacy, academic success, self-help learning and free access to current technologies.

Board of Directors:
Led by over twenty Directors representing Long Beach's business and community leaders, the Library Foundation has raised more than eleven million dollars since its inception and has greatly enhanced the visibility of the Long Beach Public Library and all it offers to the citizens of Long Beach and beyond.