We need your support!

For nearly 30 years, our community has waited for a new Central Library, a place that reflects Guelph’s values of learning, inclusion, and connection. That long-awaited moment is almost here. But for the new Central Library to truly serve the community, it must be supported with an expanded operating budget.

The new Central Library will be nearly three times the size of the current Main Library. Without sufficient operating funding, however, much of this new space will remain inaccessible, limiting hours, programs, and services. A major civic investment deserves the staffing and resources needed to fully activate it.

We are asking you to help.

Please take a few minutes to contact Mayor Cam Guthrie and your City Councillors to urge them to support the operating budget expansion for the Guelph Public Library in the upcoming 2026 City budget.

Personal messages matter. You might consider sharing:
• Why the New Central Library matters to you and your family
• How you use Library services
• Why a fully funded Central Library is important for Guelph’s future

Even a short email can make a real difference.

Send your email of support for the GPL to clerks@guelph.ca and a copy to the Mayor and Councillors before 10am on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Thank you for standing up for the Library and for being part of this important moment in Guelph’s history.

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Thank you for attending this year’s
Annual General Meeting
In case you missed it, the meeting agenda and annual reports are all posted here…..

The BIG Book Sale was a BIG success

$95,000 raised  —  5,000 attendees  —  55,000 items sold!

Thank you! – The Bamco Group, Red Brick Cafe,
over 250 volunteers, and our faithful customers.

Click here for a list of this year’s Donors, Supporters, and Suppliers

 

Congratulations!

To the recipients of this year’s Lifetime Memberships, Retiring Chief Librarian Steve Kraft, and Mary Mulholland, long-time executive member of the Friends.

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Thank you for attending this year’s

Friends of the Guelph Public Library

Annual General Meeting

and to our excellent guest speakers,

Acting CEO Guelph Public Library, Dan Atkins,

and Campaign Advisory Committee member, Kathryn Elton

In case you missed it, the meeting agenda and annual reports are all posted here…..

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We Did It! $1million Gift to the Public Library

At a ceremony held on September 11 at the site of this year’s book sale, founding Friends of the GPL Chair Virginia Gillham and current Chair Ian Findlay presented a BIG CHEQUE for $1,000,000 to the Guelph Public Library (CEO Steve Kraft and Board Chair Randalin Ellery). The amount was raised through the efforts of the Friends at 14 previous sales stretching back to the first sale in 2007 that raised $8,200. On hand to witness the presentation current and former Friends members and book sale volunteers. Way to go!

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Donations are Closed for this year

Donations will no longer be accepted for this year’s sale. If you didn’t make it and would like to try somewhere else contact Salvation Army, Bibles for Missions, Goodwill, or St. Vincent de Paul for their donation policies.

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Donations for the 2023 Book Sale

You can start dropping off your book sale donations on Tuesday, July 18 from 6-8pm.

For the rest of the summer, we will receive donations dropped off at the front door of the sale site, 69 Huron St. on Tuesdays 6-8pm; Wednesday to Saturday from 10am-noon. Drop offs may not be done on Sundays or Mondays.

This is the ONLY location that will be receiving donations for the sale. Please note that the public library branches are unable to accept donations for the sale.

Please review this year’s guidelines on the website’s Book Sale Donations page before packing up your boxes.

With the sale scheduled a month earlier than usual, the last day to drop off donations will be early in September, so don’t delay!

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