Then ...
The organization known as Blount County Friends of the Library was organized in the 1970's to create interest in and support for the relocation and building of the McGhee Street library. The Friends group then became a support group for library staff. When a new building was required for the new century, the Friends of the Library again raised interest and support. 

The local Friends also belongs to the national Friends of Libraries U.S.A. State and local Friends of Libraries and similar support groups share their best ideas. The tremendous volume of work and support offered to libraries is impressive. This is particularly important here in Tennessee, as the state ranks 48th in governmental financial support for libraries. It appears that without Friends groups, none of us would enjoy the extensive well-equipped libraries we currently have.

And now ...
The Blount County Friends has grown to include nearly 1,000 individual members. It continues to focus public attention on the library, cooperate with the library staff in developing services for the community, supply volunteers to assist staff, and raise funds for special needs. The Friends have one annual meeting, in June, but the Friends board meets monthly. Friends programs that have been the highly successful are the lecture series and the ongoing collection of books for quarterly book sales.