Bookworms for a Better Library
Bound Together to Change Lives.
Englightening. Engaging. Welcoming. The Aiken County Public Library offers so much more than books – it is a vibrant place for gathering, learning, connecting, and innovating.
The Friends of the Aiken County Public Library is a 501(c)( 3) nonprofit, volunteer organization that supports the library’s numerous programs and funds many of the library’s capital and operational needs to make the Aiken Library accessible to all.
Help us help the Library
What The Friends of the Library Do
The Friends ADVOCATE for the Library and champion its needs with the community.
The Friends SUPPORT the Library’s mission and programs.
The Friends FUND many of the Library’s capital and operational needs.
Become a Friend of the Library
Our Story
Once upon a time (1974 to be exact!) a group of local book and library enthusiasts unburied their noses from All the President’s Men, Jaws, and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance to organize the Friends of the Aiken County Public Library.
The Friends of the Aiken Library first helped fund the library’s move from the Dibble Memorial Library to Banksia Mansion in 1975 and then again to its current historic location in 1990, embarking on a renovation the same year to improve and enlarge the library.
From 2019-2021, the Friends were instrumental in raising funds to reconfigure the library into an up-to-date, well-designed library befitting the education and cultural needs of modern-day Aiken.
Aiken is fortunate to have a library located in the historic district, close to downtown, and housed in a historically significant building. For more than 50 years, the Friends have supported the library to reach more people with more services and will continue its mission to support a library of which we are all proud.
Our Impact
The financial support of the Friends enables the library to reach more people with more services.
Just in the past 16 years, the Friends have donated more than $650,000 to the Aiken Library to support major renovations and new programs.
Explore Projects
50+ years of helping the library
The Main Characters
Meet our Board of Directors and Finance Committee
Board
Marilyn Palladino
President & Finance Committee
Maureen Lawrence
Vice President
Cheryl Crawford
Secretary
Cathy McHugh
Treasurer & Finance Committee
Victoria Hampton
Past President
Rhonda Ray
Member at Large
Ad Hoc Committee
Glenda McNichols
Art Among the Authors
Karin Jaros
Annual Giving/Marketing & Communications
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Jessica Christian
Library Manager