December 5th Sales at RCL-Maplewood & RCL-Shoreview
Save the date for two gift-quality used book sales coming to the Maplewood and Shoreview libraries on Saturday, December 5, 2026. Make your plans to stop by and do some shopping for the holidays! We accept credit cards, cash, checks, Google Pay, and Apple Pay at our sales. Proceeds support all seven Ramsey County Library locations.
Give to the Max
Giving has started ahead of Give to the Max Day Thursday, November 19. Join us by donating to support more books, programs, and resources at Ramsey County Library. The Friends organization has initiated, funded, enhanced, and expanded programs for all ages including the Summer Reading Program, Kindergarten Card Sign Up Party, drop-in computer and tech classes, training for job seekers, and a weekly teen maker space. Please help us continue this important work! There are two ways to give: – On the Give MN page – On our website
Record-Breaking Book Sale Raises $14,000
We’re grateful to everyone who helped make our September 16-20 book sale at the Roseville Library an historic one! Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of our shoppers, volunteers, sponsors, and book donors, we netted $14,000—the highest total ever for one of our sales! These proceeds will support all seven Ramsey County Library locations, so they can continue to provide wonderful resources, programs, and services to our community.
Save the dates for our next big used book sale at the Roseville Library, March 31-April 4. Can’t wait that long to shop again? You can find great used books year-round at our Used Bookstores and Book Carts located at six Ramsey County Library locations.
We Value Your Feedback
The Friends are developing a new strategic plan, and we want to hear from you! Your perspective will help us identify priorities and opportunities for the next several years. Please take a few minutes to complete our brief survey and share your thoughts about the future of the Friends and our work supporting Ramsey County Library.
Building Stronger Libraries Together
The Ramsey County Library Friends’ 2025 Impact Report highlights a year of strong community engagement and support for Ramsey County Library’s seven locations. With 965 members and nearly 6,800 volunteer hours, the Friends organization continued to advocate for RCL and bring the community together through events, outreach, retail book sales, and fundraising. We also contributed $160,000 to support library programs, collections, and new initiatives.
Your support helped expand access to resources and programs for people of all ages at RCL. From Take-Me-Home Libraries at community sites to youth programs including Storytimes, Makerteen, gaming, and Summer Reading, Friends funding helped libraries branches reach more people throughout suburban Ramsey County. In 2025, library visits topped 814,000, with millions of items circulated. Read the 2025 Impact Report to learn more about what we accomplished together and the difference Friends members, donors, volunteers, and supporters make.
Seeking Book, A/V & Puzzle Donations
We’re seeking donations of gently used books, vinyl, CD’s, DVD’s and puzzles. Please limit walk-in donations to 2 boxes/bags per day (note that special arrangements can be made for larger contributions by emailing a request in advance). Please see our guidelines for donating to learn about the types of items we can accept and other details.
Library Advocacy in Action
On December 11, 2025 about 25 library supporters wearing matching library T-shirts attended Ramsey County’s public budget hearing. Five attendees spoke powerfully about the impact of Ramsey County Library on our community. The following day, the Pioneer Press published an article highlighting the strong library presence at the hearing. We also know that many of you contacted your County Commissioners to share your own library stories. We are so grateful that you showed up for your Library! Learn more.
Thank You to Nicole Lindstrom
Nicole Lindstrom helped us as a volunteer with the Roseville Used Bookstore, selling books online and allowing us to increase our income. When Nicole’s parents, Anne and Reed Bement, passed away recently, she decided to honor their memory with a gift to the Roseville bookstore for a refurbishment of the space. Her generous gift is allowing the bookstore to purchase updated display kiosks and carts and install much needed shelving and display space. We are partially through the upgrades to the space and look forward to finishing them in 2025. Full article.
Friends Bookstores in our Communities
The Ramsey County Library Friends operate year-round, used bookstores at the Maplewood, Shoreview, and Roseville libraries and used book carts at the White Bear Lake and Mounds View libraries. They are accessible for honor-pay purchases anytime the libraries are open. Many library patrons are often surprised when they learn about the stores and carts and the many ways they benefit our communities and help fulfill our mission to promote literacy. Read full article.
Love Your Library
What do you love about your Library and the Friends? We love hearing from Friends Members, patrons, staff, and volunteers. The April contest has passed but the online form will stay open for feedback if you wish to submit a quote or story to potentially be featured on social media. Learn more and fill out the form. Read stories and quotes published from submissions.
Join Our Mailing List
Email list subscribers receive news updates and advance notice of Friends book sales, virtual events, author talks, and much more!
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Ramsey County Library Friends
Ramsey County Library Friends (formerly Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the libraries in making information, books, music, and programs available to the public.
News
December 5th Sales at RCL-Maplewood & RCL-Shoreview
Save the date for two gift-quality used book sales coming to the Maplewood and Shoreview libraries on Saturday, December 5, 2026. Make your plans to stop by and do some shopping for the holidays! We accept credit cards, cash, checks, Google Pay, and Apple Pay at our sales. Proceeds support all seven Ramsey County Library locations.
Give to the Max
Giving has started ahead of Give to the Max Day Thursday, November 19. Join us by donating to support more books, programs, and resources at Ramsey County Library. The Friends organization has initiated, funded, enhanced, and expanded programs for all ages including the Summer Reading Program, Kindergarten Card Sign Up Party, drop-in computer and tech classes, training for job seekers, and a weekly teen maker space. Please help us continue this important work!
There are two ways to give:
– On the Give MN page
– On our website
Record-Breaking Book Sale Raises $14,000
We’re grateful to everyone who helped make our September 16-20 book sale at the Roseville Library an historic one! Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of our shoppers, volunteers, sponsors, and book donors, we netted $14,000—the highest total ever for one of our sales! These proceeds will support all seven Ramsey County Library locations, so they can continue to provide wonderful resources, programs, and services to our community.
Save the dates for our next big used book sale at the Roseville Library, March 31-April 4. Can’t wait that long to shop again? You can find great used books year-round at our Used Bookstores and Book Carts located at six Ramsey County Library locations.
We Value Your Feedback
The Friends are developing a new strategic plan, and we want to hear from you! Your perspective will help us identify priorities and opportunities for the next several years. Please take a few minutes to complete our brief survey and share your thoughts about the future of the Friends and our work supporting Ramsey County Library.
Building Stronger Libraries Together
The Ramsey County Library Friends’ 2025 Impact Report highlights a year of strong community engagement and support for Ramsey County Library’s seven locations. With 965 members and nearly 6,800 volunteer hours, the Friends organization continued to advocate for RCL and bring the community together through events, outreach, retail book sales, and fundraising. We also contributed $160,000 to support library programs, collections, and new initiatives.
Your support helped expand access to resources and programs for people of all ages at RCL. From Take-Me-Home Libraries at community sites to youth programs including Storytimes, Makerteen, gaming, and Summer Reading, Friends funding helped libraries branches reach more people throughout suburban Ramsey County. In 2025, library visits topped 814,000, with millions of items circulated. Read the 2025 Impact Report to learn more about what we accomplished together and the difference Friends members, donors, volunteers, and supporters make.
Seeking Book, A/V & Puzzle Donations
We’re seeking donations of gently used books, vinyl, CD’s, DVD’s and puzzles. Please limit walk-in donations to 2 boxes/bags per day (note that special arrangements can be made for larger contributions by emailing a request in advance). Please see our guidelines for donating to learn about the types of items we can accept and other details.
Library Advocacy in Action
On December 11, 2025 about 25 library supporters wearing matching library T-shirts attended Ramsey County’s public budget hearing. Five attendees spoke powerfully about the impact of Ramsey County Library on our community. The following day, the Pioneer Press published an article highlighting the strong library presence at the hearing. We also know that many of you contacted your County Commissioners to share your own library stories. We are so grateful that you showed up for your Library! Learn more.
Thank You to Nicole Lindstrom
Nicole Lindstrom helped us as a volunteer with the Roseville Used Bookstore, selling books online and allowing us to increase our income. When Nicole’s parents, Anne and Reed Bement, passed away recently, she decided to honor their memory with a gift to the Roseville bookstore for a refurbishment of the space. Her generous gift is allowing the bookstore to purchase updated display kiosks and carts and install much needed shelving and display space. We are partially through the upgrades to the space and look forward to finishing them in 2025. Full article.
Friends Bookstores in our Communities
The Ramsey County Library Friends operate year-round, used bookstores at the Maplewood, Shoreview, and Roseville libraries and used book carts at the White Bear Lake and Mounds View libraries. They are accessible for honor-pay purchases anytime the libraries are open. Many library patrons are often surprised when they learn about the stores and carts and the many ways they benefit our communities and help fulfill our mission to promote literacy. Read full article.
Love Your Library
What do you love about your Library and the Friends? We love hearing from Friends Members, patrons, staff, and volunteers. The April contest has passed but the online form will stay open for feedback if you wish to submit a quote or story to potentially be featured on social media. Learn more and fill out the form. Read stories and quotes published from submissions.
Join Our Mailing List
Email list subscribers receive news updates and advance notice of Friends book sales, virtual events, author talks, and much more!
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Ramsey County Library Friends
Ramsey County Library Friends (formerly Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the libraries in making information, books, music, and programs available to the public.
Donate or Become a Member
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