A Brief History
Throughout our history the Friends have played a vital role in the well being of the Southport and Oak Island Libraries. We have funded enhanced services, helped spread the message that libraries are important and provided financial and volunteer support.
The Friends of the Library was formed in September of 1990 by five local residents. The group’s sole purpose was to raise money for improving the library in Southport. Even when Brunswick County took over the library system on July 1, 1992, the need still existed. Within the first two years membership grew to 115 with half the members living outside Southport. On May 2, 1994, a new county branch opened on Oak Island. Because many of the members of the Friends lived on Oak Island, it was natural to support both branch libraries.
Libraries have always had “Friends”. Historically there were Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Horace Mann, Melvil Dewey, Andrew Carnegie, and today Bill Gates. These men have brought us the public library systems we have today, and we are proud to carry on the tradition.