Friends of the Library

Tuscaloosa Public Library - Friends of the Library
Tuscaloosa Public Library – Friends of the Library

The Friends of the Library works to make the Tuscaloosa Public Library a resource for the enrichment and enlightenment for our community. One of the most visible ways we do that is through our financial support of the Library. In the past five years, the Friends have contributed nearly $300,000 to the library. Some of the items purchased include an 8-passenger van, a riding lawnmower, and a significant contribution toward the new bookmobile. Every year the Friends contribute at least $20,000 for books and also pay for continuing education opportunities for the staff.

The major source revenue for the Friends of the Library is its bookstore. However, membership dues and gifts are given in memory or in honor of special people are significant sources of income.

Members

We are very grateful to those who show their support of the Friends of the Library by making financial contributions. These gifts constitute membership in the organization and are given either as gifts in honor or memory of someone or as annual membership dues:

  • Adult $10
  • Family $20
  • Contributing $25
  • Sustaining $50
  • Patron $100
  • Benefactor $250
  • Corporate $500

As a member, you are entitled to twelve free items per year at the Bookstore. (excluding specially priced items)

 Won’t you join us as we support our public library by:

  • Sending a check payable to Friends of the Library for membership dues, honorarium, or memorials to:
    Friends of the Tuscaloosa Public Library
    1801 Jack Warner Parkway
    Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
    Checks may also be dropped off at the bookstore
  • Calling Jane Nichols at 205-79-1334 or Kathy Grissom at (205) 534-3142
  • Stopping by the bookstore to browse and shop
  • Donating gently used books or current magazines to our Bookstore

Friends of the Library Bookstore

Recycling Tuscaloosa one book at a time

The primary project of the Friends of the Library is its bookstore. What began as a once-a-month garage sale of donated books, has evolved into an impressive, well-stocked used bookstore which offers an ever-varying assortment of fiction, non-fiction, magazines, CDs, DVDs, VHS movies, and records.

The bookstore’s all-volunteer staff receives donations from individuals and estates and sells the donated items. The spacious bookstore has evolved into Tuscaloosa’s best source for recycling great books and magazines.

Most books sell for $1, $2 or $3 and magazines sell for ten cents. DVDs sell for $2 and CDs sell for $1.

Please feel free to stop by and browse.

Bookstore Hours

Monday-Thursday 9 am – 6 pm
Friday Noon – 4 pm
Saturday 9 am – 1 pm
The bookstore observes the same holiday and weather-related closings as Tuscaloosa Public Library.

 Stuff-a-Sack Sale

On the first Saturday of each month, a special sale is held: a grocery-sized sack of books sells for only $25. The bookstore stays open until 2 pm on Stuff-a-Sack Saturday.

Donations

We are always looking for more cookbooks, history, classics, art, biography, mystery, current fiction, and children’s books. Donations of recent magazines (less than 2 years old), CDs, DVD, videos, books-on-tape, and records are gratefully accepted. A book drop is located by the bookstore entrance for after-hours donations.

We do not accept donations of textbooks more than 10 years old, magazines, and catalogs. We are unable to accept donations with mold or mildew.

Kate Webb Ragsdale Author Series

Donations to support the Kate Webb Ragsdale Author Series at the Tuscaloosa Public Library may be made in any amount. Make checks payable to the Tuscaloosa Public Library, KWRAS, and drop off or mail to:

Tuscaloosa Public Library, 1801 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.

Volunteers

Our bookstore is staffed entirely by volunteers. If you like books and like to talk to people who like books, we may have a job for you. Call our Volunteer Coordinators and talk to them of your interest in becoming a volunteer.

Volunteer Coordinators

Jane Nichols

Phone: (205)792-1334

Kathy Grissom

Phone: (205)534-3142

Payment Methods

We accept cash or check only.

Location

The bookstore is located on left back corner of the Tuscaloosa Public Library. There is no access to the bookstore from inside the Library. There are no public bathrooms in the bookstore, those are available in the library.

Bookstore Phone Number:

Phone: (205)722-5208

Bookstore Manager:

Gary Morris

Phone: (205)292-4452

President of Friends of the Library Board

Bess Miller

Phone: (205)657-0083