In 1994, while still located in the Brister Library and tower building, Director of Libraries, Dr. Lester J. Pourciau, initiated the formation of Friends of the University of Memphis Libraries.  The Assistant to the Director, Tom Mendina,  subsequently organized a Steering Committee, comprised largely of former U of M faculty who were experts in organizational structure and in the language of constitutional law. 

A small group of supporters began meeting even before the move to the new McWherter Library Building in the fall and approved the proposed Constitution and By-laws under the leadership of Dr. William H. Howick, on April 2, 1995. Dr. Howick was elected as the organization’s first president. During his tenure, the Constitution and By-laws were revised three times: October 24, 1995; April 16, 1996 and April 27, 1997. He led the Executive Council to aggressively seek individual and organizational membership.

Dr. Lasley Dameron became president in July, 1997. Under his leadership, the Friends established an endowment account of $10,000 with the U of M Foundation, with the stated intention of increasing it to $20,000 over a ten-year period for the purpose of using the acquired interest to purchase books for the U of M libraries.

Dr. Pierre Secher served as president from July, 1999, to June, 2003. During his tenure, Dr. Lester Pourciau retired as Director of Libraries and Dr. Sylverna Ford became the new Dean of Libraries.  The Constitution and By-laws were revised in November 2001 to reflect this change, to clarify the process for making amendments, and to modify membership categories. At the suggestion of Vice-President, Dr. Charles Stagg, the Executive Council was enlarged to include at-large members.

Dr. Charles Stagg became president in July of 2003. The Constitution and By-laws were again revised, in April 2004, to refine the process of executive nominations and to redefine the terms and categories of membership. Starting as an at-large member and progressing to vice-president, Sue Reid Williams was elected the first female and non-academic president and served from July 2005, until June 2008. Under her leadership, the Friends were able to provide a minimum of $6,000 annually to the Libraries for books and equipment and to raise the goal of the endowment to $100,000.

The current president, Kay Farrish, also began service as an at-large member of the Executive Council and served as Vice-President under Ms. Williams. She began her tenure in July, 2008, and was re-elected to serve as president for the 2009-2010 term.