Friends of the Library - Agawam Public Library

About the Friends of APL

The Friends of the Agawam Public Library is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to supporting and fundraising for the Agawam Public Library. Since our inception in 2003, the Friends have donated over $100,000 to the library; this has enabled the library to supplement their regular operating budget. We are able to do this by sponsoring a Juried Fine Art Show in the fall, a Juried Photography Show in the winter, and a basket raffle during the holiday season, along with other events throughout the year. We also have book bags and coffee cups available for purchase. Both carry the logo designed by a local artist, David Cecchi. We also provide a form for those of you who wish to make a donation to the Friends either for yourself, in memory of someone, or in honor of someone.

Members are cordially invited to attend our monthly Executive Board Meetings held the first Thursday of the month (except for July and August) at 7:00PM at the Agawam Public Library. We welcome your input suggestions and ideas! The Agawam Public Library is very important to all of us, so please consider supporting your library either with your time or with your tax-deductible membership fee or donation. Also, please take a moment to explore our site and check out photos of past events, our calendar of events and much, much more.

Support the Friends

Become a Member

Support Agawam Public Library by joining the Friends today! With your membership, you will receive the Friends newsletter, calendar, and an invitation to all Friends meetings, events, and volunteer opportunities.

Make a Donation

Donations to the Friends help fund library programs, materials, and more! Not able to donate online but still interested in supporting the Friends monetarily? Click here to download a PDF of our donation form to mail your donation or drop it off in person at the library circulation desk.

Purchase a Bag or Mug

The Friends also offer mugs and book bags that have the Friends’ logo, beautifully designed and graciously provided by Agawam’s David Cecchi. Mugs are available for $5 and book bags are available for $12 at the Agawam Public Library circulation desk.

Keep Up-to-Date with Us

2024 Event Calendar

We have so many great fundraisers and events happening this year, and we’d love for you to join in on the fun! Please contact the Friends at [email protected] with any questions you may have.

Fall 2023 Newsletter

Take a look at what we’ve been up to, as well as what we have planned for this year! Interested in receiving a copy the Friends newsletter in your inbox? Become a member today!

Past Newsletters

Check out our past fundraisers, events, and more by viewing our past newsletters! (Newsletters go back to Spring of 2008).

Our Mission Statement

The Friends of the Agawam Public Library is a nonprofit, 501 c(3) tax-exempt organization whose mission is to support the town library by providing fundraisers, workshops and educational activities, and volunteer services.

The purpose of this organization is to establish closer relations between the Agawam Public Library and the people it serves; to promote informed interest in its function, resources, services, and needs; to confer with the staff of the Library on matters related to the welfare of the institution; to stimulate and receive gifts, endowments and bequests for the benefit of the Library; and to support the development of a program for the extension and improvement of the Library’s services and resources.

This organization will operate exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes, defined in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States, as now or hereafter existing, amended, supplemented, or superseded, as the case may be.

You may contact the Friends at [email protected]

2023 Holiday Basket Raffle

The Friends of the Agawam Public Library’s 12th Annual Holiday Basket Raffle is here! All baskets will be on display in the library from Monday, November 20th through Saturday, December 16th.

Tickets are $2 each or 6 for $10 and are for sale at the library circulation desk. The drawing will be held on Saturday, December 16th at noon.

All proceeds to benefit the Agawam Public Library.

Call for Entries to the Friends 4th Open Judged Virtual Photography Show

The Friends of the Agawam Public Library are looking for entries to their 4th Open Judged Virtual Photography Show. An online display of all accepted entries and winners to become available after March 15th, 2024.

Entry deadline is February 15th, 2024.

Paperless Entry: Image emailed, entry form emailed, and payment is made online through PayPal or with debit or credit card.

Entry may also be made by sending paper check and/or paper entry.

For a Prospectus, click here.

For a single PDF entry form, click here. Open the PDF entry form using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can type on this entry form, edit the data, save the form, come back to it later, and re-edit.

For a multiple Word entry form, click here. This file will be downloaded.

Fill out our fillable entry form and email it and your image to Bob Kadis at [email protected]. We accept the form without your signature. Your email becomes a digital signature.

To pay for your entry please click the green MAKE PAYMENT button below. Virtual Photography Show entries are $25 apiece.

If you have any questions, please contact Bob Kadis at [email protected] or 413-789-4814. If you want the Prospectus and Entry Form emailed, contact him.

Check Out Our Juried Shows!

All Images are Copyrighted

(Ever Viligant by Linda Lastoff, Pastels;
1st Place Pastels and Artists’ Choice)

Fine Arts Show

All Images are Copyrighted

The Friends of the Agawam Public Library Open Juried Art Show has been a tradition for many years, and has been held both in person and virtually.

(Snowy Over The Marsh by Tom Stratton;
Honorable Mention)

Photography Show

All Images are Copyrighted

Similar to the Fine Arts Show, the Friends of the Agawam Public Library’s Open Juried Photography Show has been a well-loved feature of the Friends for many years.

(Grapes Vining by Linda Keech;
1st Place Artisan/Craft-Ceramics/Gourds)

3D Objects Show

All Images are Copyrighted

The Friends of the Agawam Public Library’s 1st Open Juried 3d Art Object Show took place in 2015 and featured decorative gourds, sculptures, jewelry and more. View a list of the artists and artisans.