A World of Friends Found
“Ya’ gotta have friends,” said songstress Bette Midler. And without hesitation, community activist Betty Barclay took Bette’s word to heart - she gathered a small group of neighbors together to find ways to support the Chicago Public Library, Edgewater Branch.
From their first small efforts in late 1989, the all-volunteer support group dubbed Friends of the Edgewater Library was officially incorporated on May 6,1990, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Friends group, which were strong advocates for a new facility, paused its activities while a modern, larger library was built. See photos of the construction of the new Edgewater Branch Library.
Let’s Read!
While the library was closed for reconstruction, the 48th Ward office headed a committee to develop solutions to meet the needs of community readers. The result was the organization, Edgewater Reads, which began building Little Edgewater Libraries.
These small, free-standing libraries are located throughout Edgewater; individuals are encouraged to take or leave books in them. Friends of the Edgewater Library supports Edgewater Reads by donating unsold books from its sales to the little libraries.
Supporting The Edgewater Library
Throughout its history, Friends of the Edgewater Library has raised funds through book sales, memberships, sponsorships, and donations to support the library’s programs and operation.
For example, it purchases materials, DVDs and books for the library’s collection, a movie license to screen films at the library, and funds programs for children, teens, and adults.
The Betty A. Barclay Community Room
In April 2018, the Edgewater branch’s community room was dedicated in memory of Betty A. Barclay (1925-2017). Betty was a leader who advocated for the construction of the first Edgewater branch library in 1973 and the new building that opened in 2013*.
She served as Friends’ president for many years, chaired the used book sales, and was a tireless advocate for the branch. Read the Edgewater Glen Association story.
*Betty was named an Edgewater Living Treasure by the Edgewater Historical Society in 2013 for her work with the Edgewater Branch Library and Friends of the Edgewater Library. Read her bio here.
Let’s Play!
The Friends meet at 10-11a.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month, except in May and November, when it meets on the third Saturday; there is no meeting in December, in the Betty A. Barclay Community Room on the second floor of the Edgewater Library, 6000 N. Broadway and via Zoom. Please check the calendar listing or home page for Zoom registration.
Members of the community are invited to attend meetings, join committees, or participate in special projects. Friends of the Edgewater Library is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization (EIN 36-3850960) and a member of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce. Click on the link to sign up for their newsletters and see their upcoming events and programs.
Friends of the Edgewater Library raises funds and enhances the library’s visibility with programming and in other ways. We are a separate nonprofit entity run entirely by volunteers. We are not part of the management of the Chicago Public Library system or our affiliated Edgewater Branch Library.
Download the Friends of the Library background.
Little Free Libraries from Edgewater Reads
Betty’s daughters, Ann (l) and Jane (r) were on hand for the dedication ceremony. The commemorative bronze plaque hangs outside the community room on the second floor of the library.