Welcome to the Friends of the Stockton Public Library!
Our mission is to promote literacy, lifelong learning, and to generate funding for library materials and educational programs for the Stockton-San Joaquin Public Libraries.
About
Friends of the Stockton Public Library (FOSPL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer organization that supports the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Libraries (SSJCPL) and promotes lifelong learning and literacy in our community. The Friends provides funding to the SSJCPL for a vast array of library programs, materials, and equipment. As one of our funding resources, our organization operates one of the last remaining brick and mortar bookstores in the City of Stockton and has become a treasured community resource.
Financial support is primarily obtained from the sale of donated gently used books, music, and film, in addition to cash donations and fees from annual memberships.
History
The Friends of the Stockton Public Library was originally founded in 1958 as part of a community-wide effort to build a new central library in downtown Stockton, California. Since then, the Friends have remained an active organization in the community, supporting and promoting our local libraries. In the 1980s the library began holding used book sales, and over the years these occasional book sales transformed into a permanent bookstore. Today, the Friends of the Library Bookstore, located at 1724 W Hammer Lane, Stockton, California, has become a cherished community bookstore and an essential funding source for our local libraries.
Board Openings
Interested in Serving on the FOSPL Board?
Friends of the Stockton Public Library (FOSPL) is seeking community members interested in serving on its Board of Directors.
We are looking for individuals who are passionate about supporting our public libraries and who can contribute their time, ideas, skills, and community connections.
Experience in fundraising, finance, marketing, community engagement, leadership, nonprofit work, or other relevant areas is welcome, but no prior nonprofit or leadership experience is needed. A willingness to contribute and support FOSPL’s mission is what matters most.
Members may nominate themselves or another FOSPL member. Completed Nomination Forms are due to the Election Committee by November 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Nomination instructions, eligibility requirements, and the Nomination Form are available on the FOSPL website here. Copies of these documents are also available to pick up at the Friends of the Library Bookstore located at 1724 W. Hammer Ln, Stockton, CA 95209 during our regular business hours.
Meeting Schedule
Board meetings are typically held bi-monthly, and all members are welcome to attend. Meetings are held at the Margaret Troke Library at 5:30pm, unless otherwise noted. Meetings typically run 1-2 hours based on our agenda items.
The following is our current schedule:
Thursday, December 18th, 2025
Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 (Annual Meeting, to be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 2737 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA 95204)
Thursday, March 26th, 2026
Thursday, May 28th, 2026
Thursday, July 23rd, 2026
Thursday, September 24th, 2026
Thursday, November 19th, 2026
Governance
Click here to download the current bylaws.