Registration has now closed for the Breakfast with Friends fundraiser on February 28th and we cannot accept walk-ins to this event. If you’re unable to join us in person, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to this fundraiser to help expand Ramsey County Library’s lending collection. Learn more.
You Made a Difference in 2025
We are so grateful for all you gave in 2025. Thanks to your help – whether you made a financial gift, volunteered your time, or shopped used book sale fundraisers – more of your neighbors will be empowered with vital access to the free information, programs, and both print and digital resources Ramsey County Library provides. Because of the generosity of donors, we are thrilled to share that we exceeded our $11,000 year-end giving board match goal, raising a total of $41,785! We appreciate all the many ways you supported Ramsey County Library last year and can’t wait to partner together in 2026!
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.
Gift-Quality Sale at RCL-Maplewood February 12
The Maplewood Used Bookstore volunteers are hosting a gift-quality used book sale on Thursday, February 12th, 2026. Find a new book for that special someone! Stop by the Maplewood Library between 12:00-5:00pm to browse a selection of fiction and nonfiction, including autographed books, Minnesota authors, and exceptional finds. We accept credit cards, cash, checks, Google Pay, and Apple Pay at our sales. Proceeds from our sales support all seven Ramsey County Library locations so they can continue to offer wonderful resources and programs. Learn more about our sales.
Ruth Palmer Award to Cathy Croghan
The Ruth Palmer Award is given annually by the Ramsey County Library Friends to honor those who have had a lasting, transformative effect on the Friends and the Library. Cathy Croghan has been a valued member of the Friends since 2008, earning our trust and respect. She has shared the gift of civility with us for the past 17 years, making committee work a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Cathy has served in multiple roles on the Friends’ Board of Directors, including Vice President (2010–2020) and Secretary (2021–April 2025). Her special focus has been the Legacy Giving program, which has been a tradition since 1979. Read full article.
MALF Award to Lynn Belgea
Our wonderful longtime volunteer Lynn Belgea was honored during the Minnesota Association of Library Friends’ Saturday Splash event in September. Lynn was recognized with the 2025 Stand Up for Standout Friends Award for her decades of volunteerism with the Ramsey County Library Friends. Lynn has said “A good library has comfortable chairs where people can snuggle up to enjoy a book. When children visit the library and see patrons enjoying books in a relaxed atmosphere, it is modeling good reading behavior for them.” Full Article
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.
New Used Book Cart in New Brighton
Introducing our new Used Book Cart location at RCL-New Brighton! Find gently used books stationed just outside of the library entrance inside the New Brighton Community Center. Library staff will be regularly stocking the cart with hardcover books for $2 and paperbacks for $1 apiece. Book inventory is a combination of weeded books from the library and donations from the public. Learn about all six of our Used Bookstore & Cart locations where you can shop sustainably. Proceeds support Ramsey County Library.
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
Breakfast with Friends
Registration has now closed for the Breakfast with Friends fundraiser on February 28th and we cannot accept walk-ins to this event. If you’re unable to join us in person, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to this fundraiser to help expand Ramsey County Library’s lending collection. Learn more.
You Made a Difference in 2025
We are so grateful for all you gave in 2025. Thanks to your help – whether you made a financial gift, volunteered your time, or shopped used book sale fundraisers – more of your neighbors will be empowered with vital access to the free information, programs, and both print and digital resources Ramsey County Library provides. Because of the generosity of donors, we are thrilled to share that we exceeded our $11,000 year-end giving board match goal, raising a total of $41,785! We appreciate all the many ways you supported Ramsey County Library last year and can’t wait to partner together in 2026!
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.
Gift-Quality Sale at RCL-Maplewood February 12
The Maplewood Used Bookstore volunteers are hosting a gift-quality used book sale on Thursday, February 12th, 2026. Find a new book for that special someone! Stop by the Maplewood Library between 12:00-5:00pm to browse a selection of fiction and nonfiction, including autographed books, Minnesota authors, and exceptional finds. We accept credit cards, cash, checks, Google Pay, and Apple Pay at our sales. Proceeds from our sales support all seven Ramsey County Library locations so they can continue to offer wonderful resources and programs. Learn more about our sales.
Ruth Palmer Award to Cathy Croghan
The Ruth Palmer Award is given annually by the Ramsey County Library Friends to honor those who have had a lasting, transformative effect on the Friends and the Library. Cathy Croghan has been a valued member of the Friends since 2008, earning our trust and respect. She has shared the gift of civility with us for the past 17 years, making committee work a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Cathy has served in multiple roles on the Friends’ Board of Directors, including Vice President (2010–2020) and Secretary (2021–April 2025). Her special focus has been the Legacy Giving program, which has been a tradition since 1979. Read full article.
MALF Award to Lynn Belgea
Our wonderful longtime volunteer Lynn Belgea was honored during the Minnesota Association of Library Friends’ Saturday Splash event in September. Lynn was recognized with the 2025 Stand Up for Standout Friends Award for her decades of volunteerism with the Ramsey County Library Friends. Lynn has said “A good library has comfortable chairs where people can snuggle up to enjoy a book. When children visit the library and see patrons enjoying books in a relaxed atmosphere, it is modeling good reading behavior for them.” Full Article
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.
New Used Book Cart in New Brighton
Introducing our new Used Book Cart location at RCL-New Brighton! Find gently used books stationed just outside of the library entrance inside the New Brighton Community Center. Library staff will be regularly stocking the cart with hardcover books for $2 and paperbacks for $1 apiece. Book inventory is a combination of weeded books from the library and donations from the public. Learn about all six of our Used Bookstore & Cart locations where you can shop sustainably. Proceeds support Ramsey County Library.
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.
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