Our Vision & History

In 1949, voters rejected a proposal to establish a public library in Garden City.

​

Undeterred, a group of women formed a committee and rallied support from local businesses and community organizations. The donations they secured funded the purchase of books and refurbishment of a white clapboard house at the east end of Seventh Street, which the Village lent to the committee as the Library’s first home.

​

Many of these women—committed to lifelong library stewardship—went on to form the Friends of the Garden City Public Library in 1952.

 

Since then, the Friends have operated as a community-led organization dedicated to supporting the Library as it evolves with the needs of local families, students, seniors, and lifelong learners.

​

And that is the vision and mission of Friends: raising funds to ensure the library keeps pace with what our community needs.