Mission and History

Mission

Libraries for the Future is a nonprofit organization that supports innovation and investment in America’s libraries.

Emphasizing collaboration between libraries and community groups, LFF links professionals across disciplines—such as health and literacy, or early childhood and architecture—to help participants devise new solutions to shared challenges. Through dynamic library programs, inspiring trainings, targeted grants, interdisciplinary forums, and useful research projects, LFF transforms libraries into 21st century community centers for information and education.

LFF’s core missions are:
• Advocacy
• Programs
• Innovation
• Resource Development

History

Since 1992, LFF has helped public libraries respond creatively to the changing needs and opportunities of their communities. Today, LFF operates programs in more than 220 libraries in 27 states, typically in partnership with libraries, library systems, foundations and community-based organizations.

LFF began as a small group of library supporters and funders protesting the deep funding cuts of the 1990s. With library survival at stake, LFF mobilized a national network of community leaders and advocates. LFF has since expanded its role to put ideas like “civic library” and the “lifelong library” into practice, developing and overseeing national programs to help libraries not only survive, but thrive.

From 2004–2007, LFF operated as the program arm of Americans for Libraries Council (ALC). On September 17, 2007, the organization reunited as “Libraries for the Future,” a name that best captures the energy, resources, and opportunities that today’s public libraries bring to their communities. The Council continues to advise the LFF board of directors, drawing upon the expertise of civic leaders in many fields—including business, education, library and philanthropy—to keep libraries at the top of the national agenda and the center of our communities.

Find out more about joining Libraries for the Future today to strengthen one of the cornerstones of American democracy: the free public library.