A Brief History of the Friends of the Orford Libraries

On May 26, 1987, twenty-four Orford residents met to establish the Friends of the Orford Libraries to assist the Orford Social Library and the
Orford Free Library. The objectives, which still exist today, are:

  • Maintain an association of persons interested in the libraries
  • Stimulate the use of the libraries resources and services
  • Support and cooperate with the libraries in developing library services for the community
  • Receive and encourage gifts, endowments and bequests to the libraries
  • Support the freedom to read as expressed in the American Library Association Bill of Rights

Fun facts!

  • In 1987 fundraising activities included a booth at the annual Orford Fast Squad Flea Market and the publication of the first Orford Community Phonebook!
  • In 1989 the Friends funds assisted the libraries to purchase their first computer and printer

Who We Are and What We Do

Who are we:

The Friends of the Orford Libraries is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization of library-loving individual that organize and runs fundraisers year-round and strive to support and enhance the Orford Libraries’ great contributions to our community

What we do:

Publish and distribute the Quarterly Newsletter: ‘ORFORD LIBRARY NEWS’.

Provide passes for free or discounted admissions to local museums including:

  • VERMONT INSTITUTE OF NATURAL SCIENCES
  • FAIRBANKS MUSEUM
  • CANTERBURY SHAKER VILLAGE
  • SQUAM LAKES NATURAL SCIENCE CENTER
  • BILLINGS FARM AND MUSEUM

Learn More & Get Involved

We welcome your enthusiasm, creativity and willingness to help as we work with the community to support our libraries. There are
many ways to get involved:

  • Attend a Friends meeting ( held 6 TIMES A YEAR),
  • Volunteer for an activity or event
  • Become a Friends Member – Sponsor a Pass

For more information about the Friends of the Orford Libraries, please visit our Facebook page at Friends of The Orford Libraries
and be sure to read the ‘Orford Library News’ to find out what exciting things are going on at the libraries.