Chattanooga Public Library Foundation
Fostering awareness and generating support for the work of the Chattanooga Public Library and its community resources.
Supporting the Library.
Strengthening Chattanooga.
Since 1965, The Foundation has strengthened the Chattanooga Public Library with philanthropic support and valuable resources. We fund programs that inspire our community and ensures everyone feels welcome—including providing after-school meals for youth, connecting our community to its past, and lowering barriers to literacy.
$50 for 50 Years
For 50 years, the Chattanooga Public Library Foundation has supported the Library with vital funding and volunteer support to expand its impact in the Chattanooga community.
Today, you can be part of the future. Gifts of $50 support the Chattanooga Public Library Foundation's Endowment, providing sustainable funding for Library programming and outreach.
Explore our programs and impact.
Choose where your gift goes.
Every fund supports a different corner of community life. Give to the cause that speaks to you by clicking the link to donate.
Library Access Fund
The Library has committed to eliminating barriers to library access in our community—ensuring its spaces are accessible, inclusive, and welcoming as a "third space" that offers much more than books. Gifts to this fund help cover associated costs, ensuring uninterrupted support for our community.
PB&J Fund
The PB&J Fund began in 2019 with a simple idea: make sure kids had something to eat when school wasn't in session. Since then, the Foundation has given over $11,000 to the PB&J Fund, and the Downtown and Avondale Libraries serve hundreds of sandwiches and fresh fruit every year. Gifts to this fund enable the Library staff to expand the program to meet growing demands and ensure the future success of Chattanooga's youth.
Honor Book Stores
We operate several year-round honor-system book stores at locations throughout the city. Simply stop in, grab a book, and pay via cash or the posted QR code! Every purchase helps fund vital programming across the Chattanooga Public Library system, and your donation allows us to keep these honor sales running year-round.
Skylib
BookNook
YMCA
Books to Beds
In partnership with DEFOOR Hospitality Group and Chattanooga Gas, we provide complimentary books to hotel guests. This not only makes for a memorable stay, but also promotes the importance of literacy and lifelong learning.
Local History & Geneaology
The Library's Local History and Genealogy Department connects our community to its shared past by providing open access to rare collections featuring Chattanooga's people, places, and stories. Gifts to this fund enable the acquisition, preservation, digitization, and sharing of these collections — ensuring Chattanooga's history remains accessible to all.
Support Our Endowment
Donations from our community keep our programs running, our shelves stocked, and our libraries accessible to all. Contributions to the Chattanooga Public Library Foundation's Endowment ensure long-term support of the Chattanooga Public Library by securing financial sustainability for programming and operations.
Explore our programs and impact.
PB&J Fund
The PB&J Fund began in 2019 with a simple idea: make sure kids had something to eat when school wasn't in session. Since then, the Foundation has given over $11,000 to the PB&J Fund, and the Downtown and Avondale Libraries serve hundreds of sandwiches and fresh fruit every year.
Gifts to the PB&J Fund enable the Library staff to expand the program to meet growing demands and ensure the future success of Chattanooga's youth.
Local History & Genealogy
The Chattanooga Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Department connects our community to its shared past by providing open access to rare collections featuring Chattanooga's people, places, and stories.
Gifts to this fund enable the acquisition, preservation, digitization, and sharing of these collections—ensuring Chattanooga's history remains accessible to all.
Library Access Fund
The Library has committed to eliminating barriers to library access in our community—ensuring its spaces are accessible, inclusive, and welcoming as a "third space" that offers so much more than books.
Gifts to the Library Access Fund help the Library cover associated costs, ensuring uninterrupted support for our community.
Small monthly gifts add up to big things.
Every donation strengthens our Library and community, and donors who give at select levels each year unlock a few extra thank-yous along the way.
2025 in Numbers
Children in summer programs
Young readers discovered new stories and confidence
Books donated this year
Community generosity fills our shelves and hearts
Volunteer hours contributed
Dedicated people making real difference in lives
Upcoming Events
Discover upcoming programs, book sales, and community events that support the Chattanooga Public Library.
Stay connected with the Foundation.
Sign up to receive the latest news about events, programming, and ways to support our mission.
What We're Reading
Updates from the Foundation and our community.
More ways to give back.
Explore planned giving.
Consider leaving a lasting impact across Chattanooga through a planned gift to the Chattanooga Public Library Foundation. These thoughtful gifts benefit not only the donor and their family but also ensure future generations can experience our Library's collections, programs, and resources.
Contact us at admin@chattplf.org to discuss a planned gift.
Give your books a second life.
A book you've finished could be someone else's favorite. Donations of books help us build our book sales and reach more readers.
Volunteer to support our programming.
From shelving books to staffing events to tending our Native Garden, there's a volunteer role that fits your schedule and your strengths.