ABOUT US
Jackson Friends of the Library (“JFOL”) is a non-profit organization that exists to support and enhance the Jackson-based branches of the Jackson-Hinds Library System based in Jackson, Mississippi. These branches, scattered across the Capital City, serve 146,000 residents and include the Eudora Welty Library, Bolden/Moore Library, Fannie Lou Hamer Library, Margaret Walker Alexander Library, Medgar Evers Library, Willie Morris Library, and Richard Wright Library.
JFOL was founded in 1985 and has historically provided supplemental funding for the summer reading program along with contributions to the collection, most notably the donation of a world class collection of 755 books from the New York Review of Books and the creation and acquisition of the Wells Collection, comprising 728 award-winning books not previously part of the System's collection.
In 2022 a small group of us began working to revitalize JFOL with hopes of carrying on the legacy of the Friends group from earlier years while also expanding the scope of impact JFOL has on our city’s libraries moving forward. In recent years participation and interest in the Jackson Friends of the Library diminished and the group had become dormant. Given the City's many difficult problems, the Library System needs Friends, volunteers and corporate partners to step up to stand in the gap.
We want to see a flourishing urban library system that reaches Jackson’s many diverse citizens with the inspiration, education, information and connection that libraries can provide. We believe our Library System cannot reach its full potential without a flourishing Friends group behind it. In June 2023, JFOL officially celebrated its relaunch, and in August 2023 was awarded a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission for a large-scale public art installation in one of our city branches. Fall of 2023 we will host the first Book Sale in many years benefitting Jackson’s libraries… and we’re just getting started.
Have ideas? Want to find out how you can get more involved? Please contact us today!
JFOL is a 100% volunteer-based organization and needs committed and creative citizens, small local businesses, and large corporations that care about our city and our libraries. Together we can make a difference!