About The Friends

Friends of the Library sponsorship helps make possible many of the programs offered by GPL  

PoetryGSO

Thousands people of all ages participate in PoetryGSO during National Poetry Month (April) Highlightshave included presentations by Gary Glazner, founder of the Alzheimer's Poetry Project. "Poetry, Jazz and Java'' readings by local poets at coffee shops, commemoration of "Poem in Your Pocket Day,'' and dozens of events for adults, children and teens.

High School Poet Laureate Project

This partnership between Greensboro Public Library and librarians from Guilford County Schools is now in its tenth consecutive year. The project is coordinated by Marilyn Miller and Kate Cummings, Grimsley High School librarian.

Literary Laureate Award

An annual award for noteworthy Authors. Our 2010 award went to Carole Boston Weatherford, a New York Times Best-Selling Poet and Children's Book Author. Ms. Weatherford teaches at Fayetteville State University and lives in High Point with her husband and their son and daughter. 

One City, One Book

This year's One City, One Author project features books by Reynolds Price, with activities beginning January 31 and ending April 10. This annual Friends of the Greensboro Public Library project features events, programs and book discussions using several books by the same author and this year, the group partners with Triad Stage. A Whole New Life, a memoir of Price’s battle with cancer and Kate Vaiden, a novel that earned him the National Writers Award, are the focus of One City, One Author. Triad Stage will celebrate the life and work of Price with the theatrical event New Music. For a calendar of performances and more information, visit the Triad Stage website.

El Dia de los Ninos/El Dia de los Libros

(Day of the Child, Day of the Book)

Thousands of people enjoyed a day of Latino poetry, music, dance and food in Center City Park in May.

Semi-Annual Book Sale

Our November 2009 Used Book Sale was the most successful ever. We raised over $4,000. All books are donated by the community. Our Next Book Sale is scheduled for May 5, 2012. Special thanks to donors and volunteers.

Life Verse 

This project takes poetry programming into nursing homes, assisted-living centers, worship places and adult day care sites. LifeVerse won first place in the 2009 Diversity and Outreach Fair at the annual American Library Association and conference in Chicago. The judges based their decision on project innovation, promotional materials, and the potential for the project to become a model for other libraries.

Author Visits

This program brings many authors to speak at Central Library, branch libraries and other locations in the area. The Friends recently hosted an author series at the O'Henry Hotel Tea Room. Authors included Susan Kelly on Sept. 26, 2010, Jim Minick on Oct. 24, 2010, Love Poetry Readings with Mark Smith-Soto and Anjail Ahmad on Feb. 13, 2011 and An Afternoon with Fred Chappel on March 20. 2011.

Other Programs we help sponsor.

Summer Incentives for Students, Pre-K Programs, Computer Literacy Classes, Reading Programs for Families, Activities for Senior Adults, Book Clubs, Booklovers Shop.

The State of North Carolina has designated the Greensboro Library as the Guilford County Public Library. Joining the Friends of the Library is an excellent way to support the library and serve your community.