FONL History

The Friends of the Norman Library was organized in 1981 in Norman, Oklahoma. The organization started out small and evolved over the years in many phases. Funds raised by the early FONL went to purchase books and other materials, and even started a book discussion group. Today, FONL has hundreds of members and raises thousands of dollars each year that goes to the many services provided by all three Norman libraries.

The Friends of the Norman Library feel strongly that public libraries are essential for healthy communities. FONL sees its mission as two-fold: to support the libraries financially and otherwise, and also to put books and knowledge into the hands of the public. The whole community benefits when every member has access to information and resources.
Picture
An early FONL book sale


​How are FONL funds used?

The Friends of the Norman Library is run entirely by volunteers. Therefore, you can be certain that 100% of your donations and membership dues go directly toward supporting the Norman libraries. Funds raised by FONL support a variety of library programs, such as these: 
  • Robot Club                                        
  • Crowns Tea
  • Bug Fest
  • Stop-motion Filmmaking 
  • Cooking Demonstrations
FONL often support materials used for the Summer Reading program, in addition to many other children and teen programs. The library holds many wonderful programs that not only educate and enrich our community's youth, but also give them a safe and nurturing place to go when school is not in session. FONL funds are typically used for those materials or refreshments not covered by other funding, and allows library staff to go the extra mile to provide excellent programs for our community. While the Norman libraries are part of the Pioneer Library System, our Friends group only supports the libraries within Norman. Other Friends groups support the other libraries in the system.

The Friends also sponsor continuing education scholarships for Norman Public Library staff.


​Norman Public Library History

Picture1929 Norman Public Library location
Norman's first public library was established in 1895 when a reading room was opened over a downtown store. Books for the reading room were acquired through subscription and donation, and members of the various women's clubs supervised the reading room. Later, the location changed to a photographic studio and patrons were able to borrow the books. For the next few decades, the library's location changed several times to different churches, but in the 1920s, a movement began toward the formation of a permanent public library to accommodate growth and public need. The original site of the Norman Public Library was dedicated in 1929 at South Peters and East Symmes, which is currently the Norman Senior Citizens Center. The library moved to its current location on North Webster Avenue in the 1960s, and now includes the new West branch opened in the former Borders building. Even more expansion to the Norman libraries has arrived, as an East branch has been added, as well as a new building for Norman Central. FONL will continue to support all the Norman libraries as the community grows and library services adapt and expand.  ​


​FONL Board of Directors

President: Karl Rambo
Vice President: Jamie Featherston  
Secretary: 
Treasurer: Fern Garofalo
Assistant Treasurer: Walter Matulewicz 
Volunteers: Sarah Corfidi

                                                                                             

    
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“The very existence of libraries affords the best evidence that we may yet have hope for the future of man.” 
― T.S. Eliot