About Us

The Friends of the Park Rapids Area Library (Friends) is a volunteer organization that began in 1981 to provide financial and volunteer assistance and support to the Park Rapids Area Library. There are currently 48 members. The Friends hope our lasting impact is creating in the Park Rapids area a literate community exposed to new and different ideas, cultures and technology with the critical thinking skills to know how to assess them and incorporate them into their lives.

Our Work

1981

Following the remodel of the library at 101 West 2nd Street, the librarians asked the Library Board to install a telephone for emergencies. After this request was rejected, the Friends of the Library was formed to improve the library in as many ways as possible — adding a telephone first. Through a yearly book sale, which was put out on the library lawn, this group funded many
projects for the library.

Our Charter Members
- JoAnn Benjamin
- Colleen Elkington
- Betty Fuller
- Gail Gruis (Librarian)
- Cathy Hanson
- Margaret Harding
- Florence Hedeen
- Kathy Heuer
- Dorothy Hurd
- Dave and Jan Long
- Judy Merritt
- Eleanor Oleson
- Mark Schurmann
- Linda Smith
- Donna Walsh
- Blythe Wyard
- Sandy Shook
2021

The Friends of the Library celebrated 40 years with cookies and lemonade for the community. Charter members Gail Gruis, Florence Hedeen, and Sandy (Shook) Drury attended.