THE FRIENDS OF THE OAKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

What THE FRIENDS OF THE OAKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY does

The Friends of the Oakland Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1949 to support the Oakland Public Library (OPL) and the broader Oakland community. The organization operates from Oakland, California, generating revenue primarily through The Bookmark Bookstore, a volunteer-staffed used bookstore selling donated books, CDs, DVDs, LPs, puzzles, and games at prices typically ranging from $1-6 per item. The Bookmark relocated to 933 Broadway in Old Oakland in June 2024 and is staffed by a roster of 50+ volunteers, with online sales extending reach through eBay (3,500+ eclectic items) and a Bookshop.org affiliate storefront.

The organization's revenue model rests on three streams: used bookstore sales, annual memberships (with a $50 Book Friend tier offering reciprocal 20% discounts at six local partner bookstores), and direct donations including Library Giving Day campaigns. All net proceeds are directed as grants to OPL, which comprises a Main Library, 16 branches, the Second Start Adult Literacy Program, Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African-American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). Funded programs include Equity Grants of $1,500 per branch, Mini-Grants for OPL staff, and the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program—now in its 15th year—providing a $5,000 college scholarship to the winner and $500 to each finalist.

The Friends participates in broader civic advocacy through the OPL Advocates coalition, formed December 8, 2013, alongside the Library Commission, Youth Leadership Council, Branch Friends groups, Save Oakland Libraries, and SEIU 1021. This coalition has helped secure successive parcel tax measures—Measure D in 2018 at 76.89% approval and Measure C in 2022 at 82% approval—now providing OPL with $18 million annually, approximately 40% of its operating budget. In 2026, the organization received the Making Democracy Work Award from the League of Women Voters of Oakland, recognizing its role in voter education and equitable library access across Oakland's neighborhood branches.

Name

THE FRIENDS OF THE OAKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

Legal name

Friends of the Oakland Public Library

Website

https://fopl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Friends of the Oakland Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1949 that operates The Bookmark Bookstore, a volunteer-staffed used bookstore in Oakland, California. Proceeds from sales, memberships, and donations fund grants supporting the Oakland Public Library's branches and community programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Fundraising and Used Bookstore Operations

NAICS

Used Merchandise Retailers (459510), Book Retailers and News Dealers (45921)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Used, Rare & Antiquarian Bookstores (CRALAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Library, Reading Motivation & Independent Reading Programs (EDAMAJAO), General Bookstores (New Books) (CRALAAAA)

Keywords

• Used bookstore retail
• Library fundraising nonprofit
• Community membership programs
• Book donation resale
• Library grant programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. The Bookmark Bookstore Sales: The nonprofit operates The Bookmark Bookstore, a used bookstore selling donated books, media (CDs, DVDs, LPs, vinyl), puzzles, games, and other materials. Proceeds from all sales benefit the Oakland Public Library. The store has over 17,000 books and sells items at highly discounted prices ($1-6 range for most items). Online sales also occur via eBay (3,500+ eclectic items) and Bookshop.org affiliate links.
2. Memberships: Annual memberships provide year-round 20% store discount plus 50% off at monthly member sales. The Book Friend level ($50) provides additional discounts at participating local bookstores including Montclair Book Tree, Pegasus Books, Spectator Books, Dan Webb Books, Womb House Books, and Walden Pond.
3. Grants to OPL: The Friends provides grants to Oakland Public Library funded by memberships, donations, and bookstore proceeds. Programs include Mini-Grants for OPL staff, Equity Grants for branches ($1,500 each), and support for OPL programs including the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program.
4. Donations: Direct donations are accepted, including through Library Giving Day campaigns via Network for Good and PayPal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Friends operates The Bookmark Bookstore, a volunteer-staffed used bookstore in Old Oakland selling donated and gently-used books, CDs, DVDs, LPs, puzzles, and games. Proceeds fund grants to the Oakland Public Library branches and programs. The organization also sells memberships, accepts donations, and runs recurring community programs including monthly member sales, free children's book giveaways, and youth poet laureate scholarship support.

Product overview

The Friends of the Oakland Public Library operates primarily through The Bookmark Bookstore—a volunteer-staffed used bookstore that generates funds for the Oakland Public Library. The organization offers membership programs with store discounts, provides grants to OPL branches and staff, supports the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program with scholarships, and runs recurring community programs including free children's book giveaways, mahjong events, and monthly member sales. The Bookmark sells both in-store and through online platforms including eBay and Bookshop.org.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Bookmark Bookstore Volunteer-staffed used bookstore at 933 Broadway, Oakland, selling donated and gently-used books, CDs, DVDs, LPs, puzzles, and games with all proceeds supporting Oakland Public Library branches and programs.
• Membership Program Annual membership offering 20% off at The Bookmark year-round plus 50% off at monthly Member sales, with the Book Friend level ($50) adding 20% discounts at participating local bookstores.
• Grants to Oakland Public Library City-wide nonprofit fundraising grants supporting all OPL branches, including Equity Grants of $1,500 per branch and Mini-Grants for OPL staff, funded by memberships, donations, and bookstore proceeds.
• Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Program Support Scholarship and grants program funding the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program with a $5,000 college scholarship for the winner and $500 per finalist.
• Material Donation Acceptance Service Acceptance of like-new and gently used items including books, CDs, DVDs, vinyl, puzzles, and games on Fridays and Saturdays from 12-4PM during non-sale weekends at the 10th Street Donation Center entrance.

Quantifiable outcome

• $5,000 scholarship awarded annually to Oakland Youth Poet Laureate winner, $500 to each finalist
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OPL Advocates CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2013Coalition formed on December 8, 2013 including City of Oakland Library Commission, Friends of the OPL, Youth Leadership Council, Branch Friends groups, and Save Oakland Libraries to advocate for OPL funding. This coalition has secured $500,000 in extra funding and passed Measures D (76.89%, 2018) and C (82%, 2022).
• Oakland Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe primary beneficiary of Friends' fundraising efforts. OPL includes a Main Library, 16 branches, Second Start Adult Literacy Program, Oakland Tool Lending Library, and African-American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Friends provides grants to OPL and supports OPL programs.
• Branch Friends GroupscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproximately 20 independent volunteer groups supporting individual OPL branches. Branch Friends groups are independent of the system-wide Friends of the OPL but collaborate on shared goals of supporting OPL programs and services.
• Save Oakland LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots advocacy group that can react quickly in clutch budget moments. Part of the OPL Advocates coalition working to protect and increase library funding.
• City of Oakland Library CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity commission with up to 15 commissioners providing oversight of OPL's parcel tax revenues (Measures Q and D). Advises Library Administration and elected officials. Part of OPL Advocates coalition.
• Youth Leadership CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPL's youth-driven advisory board for teens ages 13-18. Members are trained speakers providing advocacy with keen attention from elected officials. Part of OPL Advocates coalition.
• SEIU 1021minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion representing the majority of OPL employees. Provides OPL program and staff knowledge, ability to share information among staff quickly, and city budget expertise. Part of OPL Advocates coalition.
• Bookish Bay BrigademinorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizes the Bookstore Crawl event. The Bookmark participates in Indie Bookstore Day celebrations and Bookstore Crawl events.
• Chapter 510minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program alongside Write-to-Read, Youth Speaks, and Alameda County Library.
• Youth SpeaksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program.
• Write-to-ReadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program.
• Alameda County LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate program.
• Montclair Book TreeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating local bookstore offering 20% discount to Book Friend level members of Friends of the OPL.
• Pegasus BooksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating local bookstore offering 20% discount to Book Friend level members.
• Spectator BooksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating local bookstore offering 20% discount to Book Friend level members.
• Dan Webb BooksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating local bookstore offering 20% discount to Book Friend level members.
• Womb House BooksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating local bookstore offering 20% discount to Book Friend level members.
• Walden PondminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating local bookstore offering 20% discount to Book Friend level members.
• League of Women Voters of OaklandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarding body for the 2026 Making Democracy Work Award. Long-standing partnership with OPL providing voter materials and resources to Oakland residents. Both organizations share values of civic engagement and voter access.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Friends of the New York Public Library: Runs the Library Shop in midtown Manhattan plus seasonal used-book sales, with all proceeds supporting NYPL. Same Friends-of-the-library nonprofit retail structure as FOPL, at much larger scale.
• Friends of the Chicago Public Library: Nonprofit support organization for the Chicago Public Library with used-book sales and grantmaking. Same mission, same used-bookstore funding mechanic, same beneficiary type as FOPL.
• Housing Works Bookstore Cafe: NYC nonprofit used bookstore whose proceeds fund Housing Works' mission supporting people affected by HIV/AIDS. Comparable nonprofit retail model where 100% of proceeds are mission-directed.
• Friends of the Seattle Public Library: Nonprofit fundraising arm for the Seattle Public Library, including a used-bookstore operation. Closely comparable structure, beneficiary, and bookstore-driven funding model.
• Friends of the San Francisco Public Library: Operates a used bookstore (Library Shop) in support of the San Francisco Public Library using a near-identical nonprofit-and-volunteer retail model. Directly comparable mission, bookstore format, and beneficiary relationship.
• Friends of the Brooklyn Public Library: Nonprofit support organization operating a used bookstore (Bookshop at BPL) and grants program for the Brooklyn Public Library. Closely analogous retail-and-grants model to The Bookmark.

Broad incumbents

• Bookshop.org: Online book retail platform with an affiliate model that routes a share of proceeds to independent bookstores. FOPL already runs a Bookshop.org storefront, making Bookshop.org both a channel and a strategic platform peer.
• Powell's Books: Iconic Portland-based independent used-bookstore chain selling new and used titles. Comparable product (used books) and overlapping customer base of bargain-book buyers, though commercial rather than nonprofit.
• Strand Bookstore: Historic New York City independent bookstore famous for its used-book inventory. Comparable used-book retail category and collector/bargain-hunter customer overlap with The Bookmark's eBay channel.
• ThriftBooks: Large online used-book retailer sourcing inventory from library discards and donations—operationally similar to a library-friends used-book channel, but at national scale and for-profit.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BookmarkBookstore.FOPL
• Instagraminstagram.com/fopl_bookmark
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-friends-of-the-oakland-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about THE FRIENDS OF THE OAKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY