Building Successful Library Friends Groups: Guidelines and Best Practices
Learn about the importance of establishing clear roles and fostering effective communication between library staff and Friends groups. Explore the key principles for organizing and managing a successful library Friends group, including defining purpose, setting expectations, and creating a constructive partnership with the library. Discover the "Ten Commandments" of a thriving Friends group and how to navigate common challenges to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship.
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Presentation Transcript
Working with Friends June 2, 2012 New Jersey State Library Association Trustee Institute Herb Landau, Executive Director Lancaster Public Library Lancaster, Pa
Introductions Affiliation Role Interests What You Expect to get from this Session
RIDDLE: What do Ringo Starr and public libraries have in common?
We Get By With a Little Help from Our Friends friend [fr nd] n an acquaintance or associate an ally in a fight or cause a fellow member of a party, society, etc. a patron or supporter a person known well to another and regarded with liking, affection, and loyalty; an intimate
Friend or Foe? Friends may feel: A lack of a clearly defined role in the library A lack of cooperation and defensiveness from library staff and board A lack of appreciation by library staff and board Library director and board may feel that Friends: Interfere with library governance, management or operations May be unguided missiles not in tune with library needs and priorities Act like an elite group who delegate their work to library staff
Ten Commandments of a Successful Library Friends Group (from Dolnick, Sandy, ed. Essential Friends of Libraries, ALA, 2004) 1. The library director must want a Friends group 2. Library staff must be willing to work with Friends 3. All parties must realize that a time commitment is involved 4. The library must agree which of its resources will be used 5. A committed core group must exist 6. The authority to which the library director reports must recognize the Friends group 7. Communication must be open 8. All involved must realize that Friends do not make library policy 9. The library must decide, in discussion with the Friends, the separate roles and functions it wishes the group to play 10. Money raised by the Friends should be disbursed according to the library s needs as stated by the library s director and trustees
Organizing Your Friends Group I.-Defining Purpose Define your mission and vision Develop a constitution and set of bylaws Draft a Memo of Understanding with the library
Organizing Your Friends Group II.-Define Legal Status e.g. As an unincorporated arm of the library Board (a committee) As a separate 501 ( c )( 3 ) nonprofit organization (a corporation) Membership association Foundation (endowment)
Organizing Your Friends Group III.-Define Leadership, Membership & Structure Leadership Board (Officers) President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Committee Chairs Committees Qualifications (Position Descriptions) Terms of office Relationship to library management and board Membership Friends vs. volunteers Recruiting & retention
SELECTING FRIENDS LEADERSHIP Select your Friends group s leadership as carefully as you would your board of directors. Employ the same criteria- i.e. their ability to deliver one or more of the IV Ws : 1. Work 2. Wisdom 3. Wealth 4. Wallop
Keep Communication Regular, Open and Informative Friends should be represented (non-voting) on board of trustees Trustees should be represented (non-voting) on Friends board Library Executive Director should attend Friends board meetings Agendas should reflect ALL of the above with brief reports and meeting participation. Just being PRESENT is not enough
Organizing Your Friends Group IV.-Define Financial Practices How will funds be raised? Benefit Events Direct Solicitation Fee Based Services Who receives collected funds? Who holds funds? Who invests reserve funds? Limits on reserves Who controls use of funds? Who pays the bills? How are funds disbursed? Who keeps the books, prepares financial reports and pays taxes? State & local sales taxes IRS 1099 annual return Annual audited financial statement
Friends of the Library Groups Generally Have Three Primary Purposes Friend Raising (creating awareness of the library and its needs) Library Advocacy Ambassadors Work the Meetings Circuit Volunteer Recruiting & Training Fund Raising Conduct Benefit Activities & Events Offer Fee Based Services Solicit Donations & Grants Assist in Grant Writing Solicit Funds for Memorials, Bequests & Naming Solicit Event or Publication Sponsorships Helping Out at the Library Provide Special Skills Supplement Library Staff Library Event Programming
Typical Library Friends Advocacy Activities Library Ambassadors Public Government Schools Business Other NFPs Community Groups Working the Meetings Circuit Education Groups Literacy Groups Literary Groups Chambers of Commerce Professional Societies Veterans Groups Fraternal Orders Service Clubs (e.g. Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, etc.)
Volunteer Recruiting & Training Library Patrons Businesses Other NFPs (e.g. schools, churches, unions, clubs) Community Service Interns
Typical Library Friends Fund Raising Activities 1. Benefit Activities & Events Book & Craft Sales Annual Event Store Internet Adopt-a-Book Antique Appraisal Fairs Art Shows Auctions Bake Sales Donor Appreciation Events Fashion Shows Flea Markets Community Leader Receptions Shopping Mall & Expo Exhibits Sporting Events Tastings Theme Dinners Tours and Walks Trips & Excursions
Typical Library Friends Fund Raising Activities 2. Fee Based Services Book and Calendar Publishing Tuition Based Courses Exam Proctoring Recycling Services Selling twofer Coupon Books Selling Food and Drink
Typical Library Friends Fund Raising Activities 3. Soliciting Donations & Grants Assist Library in Soliciting Donations Identifying Prospects Assistance in Mailing Follow-Up(Telephone & In Person) Institutional & Association Soliciting & Partnering Service Clubs Churches Museums Youth Groups Labor Unions Professional Associations Schools
Typical Library Friends Fund Raising Activities 4. Assist in Grant Writing Research Proposal Writing Expert Advice Editing 5. Soliciting Funds for Memorials, Bequests & Naming Books Equipment Buildings & Grounds 6. Soliciting Event or Publication Sponsorships Auction Catalog Ads Story Time Refreshments Newsletter Printing
Helping Out at the Library 1. Providing Needed Special Skills Accounting Computers Languages Legal Marketing Plant Engineering Proposal Writing Strategic Planning 2. Supplementing Library Staff Shelving Circulation Tutoring/Teaching 3. Library Event Programming Providing Speakers Obtaining/Donating Supplies Ushering
Conclusion: As Ringo said: Yes I get by with a little help from my friends, with a little help from my friends. In times of reduced library funding, a Friends group can be a valuable resource to help you get by. But to be effective they need structure, a clear mission, nurturing and a lot of appreciation for their critical volunteer support. x
