History

FRIENDS OF THE  ENOCH PRATT FREE LIBRARY. INC.

The Friends of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Inc. has supported the Enoch Pratt Free Library since 1974. The purpose of the Friends is to maintain an association of persons and organizations to support and enhance the facilities and services of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in the community in order to enrich the cultural opportunities of the citizens of Maryland. The general membership of the Friends is open to persons and organizations interested in the objectives and activities of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, who have shown this by paying the annual dues, set by the Board of Directors. The Board is the governing body of the Friends; it comprises five officers and no more than 18 elected directors.

In addition, patrons at each branch (or department) of the Enoch Pratt Free Library are encouraged by the Friends to form separate chapters of the Friends to promote programs and activities at the branches. These Branch Chapters receive encouragement, assistance and advice from the Board of the Friends and conduct their own affair: and determine their own membership dues. Each active Branch Chapter may designate one person as its representative to the Board who is entitled to be present at all meetings and to vote on all questions coming before the meeting. 

An active Branch Chapter is defined as one that pays annual Chapter dues as set by the Friends Board and that is considered subordinate to the Friends for 501(c) 3 purposes.  The Friends have assisted the Pratt Library in many ways, from volunteering at its activities, to hosting events, to donating books and funding capital improvements. Over its history, the Friends have donated over a million dollars to the Pratt.