Mission & Purpose

The Friends and Foundation of Albany Public Library (FFAPL) provides critical financial support to the Albany Public Library in order to help the Library provide education, literacy, career development, cultural enrichment, and lifelong learning.

The FFAPL’s purpose is to

  • Benefit, promote, support, encourage and generally enhance the programs and facilities of the Albany Public Library
  • Provide financial assistance and support for specific Library programs and projects, and
  • Assist the Library Board of Trustees in making its programs and facilities more valuable to the community.

FFAPL is an independent 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation, renamed in February 2020 after the merging of the Friends of Albany Public Library (est. 1948) with the Albany Public Library Foundation (est. 1998). Contributions to the FFAPL are tax-deductible under the extent of the law.

Note: The Friends & Foundation of Albany Public Library changed its name in the State of New York in January 2021. The corporation’s primary name remains the “Albany Public Library Foundation” with the IRS. EIN # 03-0389629. Donor Advised Funds and grantmakers should send checks to the Albany Public Library Foundation. For 990’s and furhter charity info, see the Attorney General’s CharitiesNYS database.  NYS Non-profit registration number 21-44-69.

Friends & Foundation Board Members (Updated June 2023):

  • DTrae Carter, President
  • Susan D’Entremont, Secretary
  • David Brickman, Treasurer
  • Kirsten Broschinsky
  • Gene Damm
  • Roger Green
  • Angelica Kang
  • Joseph Krausman
  • Andrea Nicolay
  • Kaitlyn MacLeod
  • Tabora Marcus
  • Brigitte Pryor
  • Lisa Gonzalez
  • Melanie Metzger
  • Jonathan Skinner
  • Chrissie Binney
  • Skylin Baestlein
  • Lidia DeJesus
  • Hailey Hamais

Would you like to join our board? As of Feb 2022, we have three vacancies on our board. Contact us via email or LinkedIn to let us know you are interested. Roger Green from the Board Nominating Committee will follow up with you.

History:

The FFAPL was created in February 2020 after two years of discussion between the Friends of Albany Public Library (Friends of APL) and the Albany Public Library Foundation (APL Foundation).

The Friends of APL have been supporting the Library for over 70 years. The Friends of APL organized book sales, book reviews, author talks, film screenings and other programs. The APL Foundation was founded in 1998 to benefit the programs and facilities of the Albany Public Library. In its first decade, the APL Foundation provided advocacy and development support for Library staff and Trustees.

The APL Foundation was re-energized in 2012 under new leadership committed to expanding the Foundation in order to providing critical financial support for the Library. Board President Holly McKenna and Board Members worked to build a robust organization supporting the Library through a consistent roster of annual programs, beginning with the Literary Legends gala. From 2013 through 2016, the Foundation worked with Communication Services, an Albany-based firm with an extensive history of working with libraries throughout New York and the country. In 2016, the Foundation hired an Executive Director, Alexis Bhagat.

In March 2017, APL Executive Director Scott Jarzombek asked the Boards of the Friends of APL and APL Foundation to explore how to work together to better support the Library. A committee was formed, including members of both boards. In May of 2018, the two organizations resolved to join forces to better support the Albany Public Library.

The FFAPL continues to present the Friends Tuesday Book Talks, presents other Special Events, and funds the Art at APL program. The FFAPL’s Annual Appeal makes it possible for the FFAPL to fund innovation at the Albany Public Library. Since 2019, Annual Appeal funds have been distributed through the APL Mini-Grant Program, directly funding proposals from Library staff.