Programs FOL Supports

Bainbridge Public Library is putting solar panels on its roof in the fall of 2025. The goal is to reduce its use of electric power and educate the community on the use of solar power for the future. Bainbridge Public Library, a 505(c)3 organization, is dependent on its donors for projects as well as maintenance. The Friends of the Library contributed $10,000 to support the solar panel installation.

A perennial favorite that Friends of the Library have supported for many years is the "Summer Learning" program (formerly known as "Summer Reading").  This program provides activities and motivation for children through adults to engage their minds with reading, projects, and other activities through the summer months.  The program is organized, staffed, and delivered county-wide by Kitsap Regional Library.  In 2025 the Bainbridge Island Friends of the Library donated $4,000 to support this program for our library.

FOL sponsored an event organized by the staff of the library to provide free, secure shredding of personal and confidential documents. The event was well-received by the community and many asked that the event be repeated in 2026.  Many gave donations to FOL for sponsoring the event.

The Friends of the Library has provided partial funding for arguably the most popular adult program. Library U organizes and puts on several series through the year, beginning in January with Great Decisions which discusses U.S. Foreign policy topics.  Other topics include in-depth programs on WWII history, neuroscience, climate, Bainbridge geology, and many more interesting subjects moderated by an expert in the field.  A small group of volunteers handles all of the organization, topics, and scheduling.  Currently this program is so popular that it has often outgrown the library capacity and is held in a larger area elsewhere on the island.

In 1998 the Friends of the Library decided to contribute a salt-water aquarium filled with colorful tropical fish both for educational and entertainment purposes.  The aquarium is always popular with the younger children, often keeping them distracted while older siblings or parents can browse for books or magazines.  The Friends continue to pay for the maintenance of the aquarium each month by Clayton Aquarium. Current species are identified with names and pictures on the wood panels above the aquarium.

Just as in the past with major projects at Bainbridge Public Library, the Bainbridge Island Friends of the Library stepped up to support the Refresh Project which was the renovation of the library interior and expansion of the main conference room.  In 2016, the Friends were able to contribute a total of $58,338 for the Refresh Project which began construction at the end of March 2017.  In 2017, the Friends added to their contribution and reached a total of $90,000, making them one of the two major project donors.  (Rotary with their donation of $100,000 is the other major donor).