Friends of the Amador County Library (FACL) was formed in 1976 to support the Amador County Library  in Amador County, California. This includes the main Jackson Library and the branches in Ione, Pine Grove, Pioneer, and Plymouth. FACL raises funds that we use to pay for materials, equipment, and programs for the five branches of the Amador County Library system.

FACL is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means your donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Our goals have evolved over the years, and today’s FACL finds itself serving primarily a fundraising function, brought about by tight fiscal constraints at both the local and state levels. As the budgets have shrunk, the library’s role has continued to expand and its reliance on the support of the Friends has increased. Today FACL works hand-in-hand with the Amador County Library and its four branches to serve library patrons throughout the county, at the branches and especially online.

 

What We Do

Twice-Yearly Book Sales

Our major fundraising events

FACL’s three-day sales in Fall and Spring each raise nearly $5,000, which along with other funding helps support the library with needed supplies and materials that the budget can’t accommodate – subscriptions, new computers, systems for DVD storage, children’s story time, the Summer Reading Program, Little Free Libraries, along with adding to the general collection, digitizing our local newspaper, and much more.

Funding Support for Our Library

Library programs, materials, equipment, and events

Budgets can only go so far. Through membership dues, generous donations from our community, and twice-yearly book sales, FACL provides funding and manages grants to support programs and services over and above the library’s budget appropriation from Amador County. We are fortunate to live in a community with so many people who are generous with their donations and time.

Promoting Literacy

Throughout the Amador County community

FACL provides local nonprofits and social service agencies with books, partnerships, and funding, including the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Little Free Libraries, and more. Our members provide their support, our volunteers give their time and talent to help the entire community take full advantage of the vital community resource that is our library.

What's New

Fall 2023 Book Sale: October 13-15

Don’t miss it! Three days, thousands of books (and more), thrilling bargains! Featuring gently used fiction and nonfiction, kids’ books & games, puzzles, All Things Christmas, and much more. American Legion Hall, Sutter Creek.

Drop-Off Boxes

for your small books and more donations are now at four county locations. Bring your small donations of books, games, puzzles, and CDs/DVDs to a local drop-off box close to your home. Boxes are at Bank of Marin in Jackson, Pokerville Market in Plymouth, and El Dorado Savings in Sutter Creek.

Are you a Little Free Library steward?

FACL has a wealth of unsold books that you can have for free for your Little Free Library. Please call 209-217-1911 or email friendsoftheaclibrary@gmail.com to arrange an appointment to pick up your books. We’re also compiling an updated list of all stewards, and we’re registering new LFLs with the national organization. Not familiar with Little Free Library? Learn more at https://littlefreelibrary.org/.

Magazine Exchange Is Back!

Bring your gently read magazines to the Jackson Library and take home some new-to-you ones. Free! Please, no newspapers, catalogues, political literature, or magazines over six months old.

How You Can Help

From a single project to board membership, your involvement is invited and welcome. FACL is an all-volunteer organization and we’re always looking for more help to realize our mission. Visit our Membership page to join FACL, visit our Get Involved page to volunteer, and visit our Donate page to learn the many ways you can contribute. Thank you!