Throughout its 55-year history, Friends of the Library has played a vital role in the wellbeing of the Laguna Beach Branch of the OC Public Library: It has funded enhanced services, helped spread the message that libraries are important, and provided financial and volunteer support. 

Most recently the Friends worked along side the County of Orange to organize and raise funds to remodel our library, which hadn’t been significantly updated since the structure was built in 1972.  Many private citizens participated by donating funds and now can see the benefits: The library structure has freshly painted walls, new bright lights, and new clean carpeting. 

The Friends is currently focusing on improvements such as reframing historic watercolors that the Library or the Friends already own, a mural on the curved wall in the children’s section, and updating the furniture in the adult section.  A large assortment of new books, DVD’s, and audio books are also being added to the Libraries collection through funding provided by the Friends.

Today the Friends continue the tradition of collaboration along side of Laguna Beach community organizations, such as Laguna Outreach for the Arts.  (LOCA) has produced and donated two beautiful sea themed works of art to the children’s section.  The paintings compliment the new suite of modern and brightly colored children’s furniture so generously donated by Laguna’s own Draper family.   The Laguna Beach Garden Club also supports the library by add a little “annual” cheer to planters in the front of the library.