For more than five decades, a volunteer group has been quietly working behind the scenes to support one of La Mesa’s most valued community spaces: the library.
The Friends of the La Mesa Library, formed nearly six decades ago, began as a group of residents who believed strong library services were essential to the community. Over time, the organization grew into a nonprofit dedicated to helping the library thrive.
“The Friends of the La Mesa Library was formed in 1969 as a group of La Mesa-area residents who believed that a modern, effective library was essential to their community,” said Leslie Stump, publicity and promotions chair for the organization.
Today, the group operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on promoting and supporting library services while connecting the community with its local library.
“The purpose of the Friends of the La Mesa Library is to promote, preserve, and support library services and patron needs through education and communication with local libraries and the community,” Stump said.
The organization’s roots go back even further. The original La Mesa Library was sponsored by the La Mesa Women’s Club, which helped promote library services before the Friends group took shape.
At the time, fundraising looked very different from today.
“At the original La Mesa Library, there was only an old shed that stored books and was opened once a month to sell books to raise money in support of the library,” said former Friends of the La Mesa Library President John Schmitz.
Things changed dramatically when the library moved to its current location in July 2008.
The new space included a dedicated bookstore run by the Friends.
“When that was opened, the Friends saw sales quadruple almost immediately,” Schmitz said. He also noted that many of the shelves in the Friends of the La Mesa Library bookstore came from the previous library location.
Like many volunteer organizations, the Friends group has evolved over the years depending on the priorities of its board and members.
“Member involvement tends to fluctuate depending on how active the board is,” Stump said. “Over the years, the focus of the Friends organization has changed based on the priorities of a given board.”
The group, under the leadership of Kirsten Iversen, who was elected board president in June 2025, currently has strong support from volunteers and members. In 2025, the Friends reached an all-time high of 325 active members. Volunteers have collectively logged more than 1,850 hours of service, with some contributing more than a decade of their time.
Over the years, the community has also recognized the group’s dedication. In 2019, former Friends President John Schmitz accepted a commendation from then–La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis honoring the organization’s 50th anniversary.
Schmitz has also played a role in discussions about the future of the library. Between 2021 and 2022, he helped facilitate a task force exploring expansion possibilities for the facility.
In November 2025, the La Mesa City Council voted to re-establish the task force as redevelopment plans move forward for a proposed 16,000-square-foot library space.
Beyond advocacy and fundraising, the Friends also support programs developed by library staff for patrons.
One upcoming initiative is the Cyber-Seniors Connected Community Program, which will help older adults learn technology skills and better access digital library resources. Weekly classes are scheduled to take place on Fridays in May at the La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center.
