Friends of the Library

Baby on a carpet

Government funding pays only a portion of The New York Public Library's operating expenses. The Library wouldn't exist as it is today without membership support from Friends of the Library, a donor membership group of generous people from across New York City and around the world.

In addition to exploring 46.8 million research items and checking out 9.9 million circulating items in branches, visitors can take language classes, attend exhibitions, send their children to early literacy programs, participate in job training courses, and so much more.

As a thank you for your support, when you join Friends of the Library, you’ll receive exclusive and generous benefits such as:

  • Subscription to a members-only newsletter
  • Savings in the Library Shop
  • Invitations to members-only events
  • And so much more—see below!

It's only with the support of Friends of the Library that the Library can fulfill its mission to provide free access to information and opportunity for all.

Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Honor and Memorial Gifts • Give the Gift of Membership • Visit the Library's Symbolic Store • Start Your Own Fundraising Campaign

Membership Benefits

Library Associate ($25-$49) | Join • Renew • Give the Gift of Membership

  • A personalized donor membership card
  • 10% discount at the Library Shop, in-store and online
  • 20% discount at the Amy’s Bread café at select Library locations

Friend ($50-$99) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

All Library Associate benefits, plus

  • Annual New York Public Library Impact Statement, a summary of how your support sustains the Library
  • Opportunity to reserve seats at select LIVE from NYPL programs
  • 10% discount at the Schomburg Shop, in-store and online

Contributing Friend ($100-$249) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

All Friend benefits, plus:

  • Invitation for two to the Library's annual Holiday Open House—the most festive event of the year
  • Invitation for two to the annual Book Swap, where members exchange favorite books and get reading recommendations from NYPL librarians

Supporting Friend ($250-$749) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

All Contributing Friend benefits, plus:

  • Two additional guests to Holiday Open House, an invitation for a total of four
  • Invitation for two to the annual Friends Lecture Luncheon, featuring today's most exciting writers and thinkers

Leading Friend ($750-$1,499) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving •Give the Gift of Membership

All Supporting Friend benefits, plus:

  • Invitations to behind-the-scenes tours of the Library's exhibitions
  • Curator-led tour of the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures

All benefits subject to change

Looking to make a bigger impact? Become a Conservator.

Join by Mail

Woman reading with boy in library

Please make your check out to NYPL and include "membership" in the memo. Send to

The New York Public Library

Friends Office

270 Madison Ave, 12th Floor

New York, NY 10016

If you have any questions, please contact the Friends Office at friends@nypl.org or 212.930.0653.