Who are the Friends?

The purpose of the Friends of Morley Library (Friends) is to assist in Morley Library’s mission and goals for the residents of Painesville and Lake County, to heighten the public's awareness about the library's programs, and to raise funds to support and supplement the library’s community services programs. 

The Friends is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization governed by our Bylaws and operated in accordance with our Policy and Procedures document. The Friends organization consists of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and numerous board members.

Friends was founded in 1898.

The Friends of Morley Library volunteers were first organized in 1898 and have since supported Morley Library. In appreciation for the services that the Friends performed, Morley Library provided a dedicated bookshop in the library’s lower level in addition to the lobby bookshop. The dedicated lower-level bookshop area is unique compared to other local libraries. 

What do the Friends do for the library? 

Friends help with the following:

• Promote literacy to the residents of the library service area at low cost by operating the lobby book sales and lower-level Book Shop.

• Support Morley Library's annual community programs (e.g., summer reading program, crafts, and activities, visiting authors) with revenues from book sales.

• As needed, provide special library grants for specific Morley Library programs (e.g., Library of Things) with revenues earned from book sales.

• Provide books to community groups and Little Free Library stewards.

• Publish a semi-annual newsletter to keep the community informed

Annual Membership Meeting

All current members are invited to attend the Friends Annual Membership meeting. The date for this year's meeting will be announced via email and posted on the Morley Library calendar.  Friend's memberships can be bought or renewed at the circulation desk, lower-level book shop, during book sales, or at the annual membership meeting.  

Board Meetings

The Friends schedule board meetings typically every two months in the Morley Library Meeting Rooms. Board meeting dates are open to the public and can be found on the Morley Library calendar.

Friends Board Members

Debbie Baillie                   Mike Oliver

Sue Crowe (Secretary)      Greg Reid

Patty Degli (Treasurer)      Mary Salchow

Andrea Horrell                  Ellen Schick

Tom Hunter                     Tom Schick

Peggy Krall                      Deb Sutton

Dan Lee (President)          Patty Thier

Janet Oliver                     Konnie Tromm