About Us

We support the el dorado hills library

We are volunteers who care about community, literacy, and the library. We are a 501(c)(3) community-based non-profit organization.

The Friends of the El Dorado Hills Library have raised more than $600,000 for the El Dorado Hills Library since the library was built in 2006. We provide 40% of the funds to purchase books and other materials (DVDs, eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers). In addition, we provide funding for children’s and youth programming and events such as the Summer Reading Challenge, enriching free performances, and YELL (Youth Executive Library League). 

As the library's budget is reduced and resources strained year after year, the community’s support of the Friends of the EDH Library becomes even more vital to maintain this educational and social jewel in our community.

We are one of six chapters of the Friends of the El Dorado County Library. Our Tax ID number is 94-6127210.

history of the el dorado hills library

The first El Dorado Hills Branch opened on October 11, 1965 in the former sales office of the developer of the new planned community on El Dorado Hills Boulevard.

When the sales office was moved in 1982, an agreement with Oak Ridge High School allowed the branch library to share space and staff with the new high school library.

By the late 1990s, the tremendous growth of the high school and the community made the shared library too crowded for both public and school use. A committee of the local Newcomers Club, led by Betty January, began to look into the idea of a separate library facility and approached the Board of Supervisors with their ideas. Eventually forming as a chapter of the Friends of the Library, this group continued to build support from the community.

In 2002, the County Board made $2 million available from Community Enhancement Funds for construction of a new library if the voters would agree to tax themselves $25 per parcel for operating funds. The public overwhelmingly approved the idea, and the building project began. Additional construction funding was provided by developers Bill Parker and Angelo Tsakapoulous and a grant from the state of California.

The 16,000 square foot library opened in February 2006. It features an adult reading room with fireplace, a separate storytime room, a young adult area, and automated circulation system. A large oil painting by Connie Randmaa was donated by Bill Parker, and the Friends of the Library provided such amenities as the display cases, fountain and donor wall plaques in addition to the bronze sculpture in the children's room. Later though the generosity of Fred and Karen Bookey, a bronze Mark Twain bench was donated to greet children before entering the Children’s Library.

website credits

Thank you to the following professionals who donated their time and expertise to help the Friends of the EDH Library with this website.

Website consultation and design by Nick Bennett

Homepage header photography by Menka Belgal Photography

Content by Karen Brown, Claire Purtich, and Ann Plank