It Pays to be a Friend

As a Detroit Public Library Friends Foundation member, your contribution is fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and earns a special credit on your State of Michigan return. Literally, your membership costs you nothing! Additionally, your membership contribution provides you with many opportunities to meet national authors and participate in exclusive Friends programs, at little or no additional cost.

If you do not reside in the City of Detroit, please note that as a benefit of membership at the $150 level or above, you are able to obtain a Detroit Public Library card. With this card you may check out library materials at any of the 24 branch locations or utilize staff assistance in the Special Collections (the Burton Historical Collection, the National Automotive History Collection, and the E. Azalia Hackley Collection). Upon receipt of your sponsor-level membership contribution we will send you a Detroit Public Library card application which will be processed immediately upon its return.

For more information on how to join The Friends, please call our office at (313) 833-4048 or email friends@detroit.lib.mi.us.

Membership Levels:

Major Benefactor $1,000
- Free admission for four people to attend author events and lectures;
- Invitations to family programming including events in the Children’s Library;
- Subscription to the member’s newsletter, Among Friends;
- An invitation to and voting privileges at the Annual Meeting;
- An invitation to the special members’ preview of the extremely popular Used Book Sale;
- Listing in The Friends’ annual donor recognition publication;
- An application for a Detroit Public Library card, with full card benefits for one year;
- An invitation to Dinner with the Director, an exclusive evening program
- Two reserved tickets to the annual E. Azalia Hackley Concert, plus a reception with the performers


Benefactor $ 500
- Free admission or reduced price for four people to attend author events and lectures;
- Invitations to family programming including events in the Children’s Library;
- Subscription to the member’s newsletter, Among Friends;
- An invitation to and voting privileges at the Annual Meeting;
- An invitation to the special members’ preview of the extremely popular Used Book Sale;
- Listing in The Friends’ annual donor recognition publication;
- An application for a Detroit Public Library card, with full card benefits for one year;
- An invitation to Dinner with the Director, an exclusive evening program
- Two free tickets to the E. Azalia Hackley Concert

Patron $ 250
- Free admission or reduced price for two people to attend author events and lectures;
- Invitations to family programming including events in the Children’s Library;
- Subscription to the member’s newsletter, Among Friends;
- An invitation to and voting privileges at the Annual Meeting;
- An invitation to the special members’ preview of the extremely popular Used Book Sale;
- Listing in The Friends’ annual donor recognition publication;
- An application for a Detroit Public Library card, with full card benefits for one year
- Two free tickets to the E. Azalia Hackley Concert

Sponsor $ 150
- Free admission or reduced price for two people to attend author events and lectures;
- Invitations to family programming including events in the Children’s Library;
- Subscription to the member’s newsletter, Among Friends;
- An invitation to and voting privileges at the Annual Meeting;
- An invitation to the special members’ preview of the extremely popular Used Book Sale;
- Listing in The Friends’ annual donor recognition publication;
- An application for a Detroit Public Library card, with full card benefits for one year

Contributor $ 100
- Free admission or reduced price for two people to attend author events and lectures;
- Invitations to family programming including events in the Children’s Library;
- Subscription to the member’s newsletter, Among Friends;
- An invitation to and voting privileges at the Annual Meeting;
- An invitation to the special members’ preview of the extremely popular Used Book Sale;
- Listing in The Friends’ annual donor recognition publication

Family $ 50
- Free admission or reduced price for two people to attend author events and lectures;
- Invitations to family programming including events in the Children’s Library;
- Subscription to the member’s newsletter, Among Friends;
- An invitation to and voting privileges at the Annual Meeting;
- An invitation to the special members’ preview of the extremely popular Used Book Sale;
- Listing in The Friends’ annual donor recognition publication

Individual Plus $ 40
- Free admission or reduced price for two people to attend author events and lectures;
- Subscription to the member’s newsletter, Among Friends;
- An invitation to and voting privileges at the Annual Meeting;
- An invitation to the special members’ preview of the extremely popular Used Book Sale;
- Listing in The Friends’ annual donor recognition publication;
- $30 of your donation is allocated to a branch, collection or department of your choice

Individual $ 30
- Free admission or reduced price to attend author events and lectures;
- Subscription to the member’s newsletter, Among Friends;
- An invitation to and voting privileges at the Annual Meeting;
- An invitation to the special members’ preview of the extremely popular Used Book Sale;
- Listing in The Friends’ annual donor recognition publication

Gift memberships (perfect for birthdays, anniversaries or holiday occasions) are also available.

Join Our “Circle of Friends!”

The Detroit Public Library Friends Foundation
(313) 833-4048 / friends@detroit.lib.mi.us