Welcome!

The Friends of the Library is a nonprofit organization that raises funds and promotes the library. Since 1985, they have raised over $750,000 for Porter County libraries! Here are just a few ways the library has used these funds:

  • Began offering ebooks and emagazines to patrons
  • Enabled the library to begin offering fax services
  • Paid for library programs so patrons could attend for free

Become A Member

Membership dues help enhance the library you already love!

Download and print an application and submit it with your membership dues at any branch during open hours. Make checks payable to “Friends of the Porter County Public Library.”

Membership Dues
Student $5.00
Senior Citizen (65+) $5.00
Individual $10.00
Family $20.00
Business/Organization $25.00
Contributor $50.00
Sustainer $100.00
Hours

Hebron Branch Friends Hours

  • Friends book cart available during normal library hours.

Kouts Branch Friends Hours

  • Friends book cart available during normal library hours.

Portage Branch Friends Hours

  • Friends book sale wall available during normal library hours.

South Haven Branch Friends Hours

  • Friends book sale wall available during normal library hours.

Valparaiso Branch Friends Hours

  • Wednesday 12:30-6:30
  • Saturday 10:00-4:00
Volunteer

The Friends of the Library is a group that relies on volunteers. There are several ways you can volunteer, such as:

  • Internet Sales
  • Organizing materials
  • Working in sale room

Submit a volunteer application if you are interested in finding out more about volunteering with the Friends of the Library.

Upcoming board meetings

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month from 9:30-10:30am in the 2nd floor Boardroom at the Valparaiso Branch. (No meeting in January.)

Donations

We happily accept new and like new books for our book sale rooms, carts and tables. We can accept one box or bag of donated books per visit, and it can be brought directly to the Circulation desk anytime your branch is open. Donation receipts and/or assistance transporting your box/bag of donated books is available upon request.

We regret that we cannot accept the following: text books, spiral or 3-ring bound books, Readers Digest condensed books, Time Life books, encyclopedias, magazines, books that are damaged, wet, moldy, or yellowed.

Board Members

Board meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the Valparaiso Library.

Genise Shumaker
President
Kathy Blackburn
Vice President
Joanne Doshan
Secretary
Mary Bradford
Treasurer
Dawn Curry
Member
Judy Hanson
Member
Cheryl Oestreich
Member
Sharon Stephens
Member
Dorothea Snyder
Member

Questions?

Looking to join the Friends of the Library? Our staff is happy to help you through the process of becoming a member or volunteer!