Mission & Impact

Family reading book

Building Awareness, Appreciation & Support for our Library

Friends of the Hennepin County Library is the fundraising partner of Hennepin County Library with a mission to build awareness, appreciation, and support for our nationally acclaimed library. Friends of the Hennepin County Library envisions a library as a thriving space of enrichment and connection where every person has the opportunity and resources to read, create, work, and learn.
 

As Friends, we build a library that is more than the sum of its books. When our community invests in our library, we invest in the knowledge, equity, and empowerment of all.

Together, we make our library stronger

10,000

Supporters in our growing community of Friends

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Woman with Little Girl

$2.5 million

Our library funding commitment for 2025

Your generous donations will support student success, outreach & engagement, youth development, and expanding our library's world-class collection.

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534,000

Library patrons who will benefit from your generosity

From homework help for youth to outreach for the homebound and everything in between, your support makes a difference in our community. 

Read Stories of Impact

Our Core Values

Generosity

We give wholeheartedly.

We believe philanthropy is a powerful force for change. The joyful act of sharing our time, talents, and resources connects us more deeply and creates a ripple effect of good. 

Integrity

We build trust.

We lead with unwavering honesty and transparency. Our loyalty to our values creates a culture where we strive to do what is best for all.

Inclusion

We champion belonging.

We advocate for accessibility, seek participation from all communities, and celebrate diversity. The result is a feeling of acceptance where all voices are heard, and everyone is welcomed and empowered.

Kindness

We show each other understanding.

We embody empathy in our interactions, extending respect to every individual. By assuming the best in others, we cultivate an environment where everyone can feel valued and empowered.

Curiosity

We ask why. 

We hold a strong desire to learn and discover new ways of thinking and doing. Asking questions and growing from each other’s perspectives paves the way to innovation.

Library Bike

We extend the library’s reach in new and innovative directions

Our library touches the lives of you, your friends, neighbors, and community every day—from providing a world-class collection, to encouraging teens to explore and achieve in STEM fields, to bringing neighbors together. What can your gift do?