Friends of Murray Library at Messiah University was formed in 1993 for the following purposes:

• To stimulate interest in the collections and facilities of Murray Library.
• To provide an opportunity for those interested in the library to participate in exhibits, programs, and volunteer activities.
• To attract gifts of books, manuscripts, and other materials for the library's enrichment.
• To encourage and receive financial contributions for needs beyond the library budget, such as building special collections.

Each of Murray Library's four special collections traces its beginning to Friends of Murray Library.

• Artists' Books 
• Ruth E. Engle Memorial Collection of Children's Book Illustration 
• Canadian Literature 
• W. Jim Neidhardt Collection on Religion and Science