1. Starting a Library Friends Group February 29, 2012
Need Some Friends?
Starting a Library Friends Group
February 29, 2012

2. Of course you do . . .
A library Friends group consists of motivated people in a community who understand the value and benefits of the library.
They volunteers their time, services, and support to enhance library programs.

3. Purpose of Friends What do Friends do?
Working in concert with the library director and Library Board, Friends groups raise money to purchase books, equipment, and other needs for the library

4. Purpose continued Friends plan and carry out special events
volunteer at the library
provide labor for projects
advocate for the library
organize book clubs
lend expertise

5. How Do Friends Get Started?
New building or addition
Space needs identified
New director
Budget crisis
Cuts in materials
Cuts in service

6. Why Friends Groups begin
Gap in service
No automation
No programs for certain groups
Population areas not served
Target groups underserved
Increased demand
Need more stuff
New formats
Service crisis – flood, fire

7. Starting a Library Friends Group
First steps
Developing a mission statement
Establishing communication and structure

8. Starting continued Recruiting members Achieving nonprofit status
Fundraising
Advocacy

9. First Steps Identifying key members of your community
Organizational meeting
Talking about library needs
Listening

10. Developing a Mission Statement
Stealing/cribbing/borrowing is perfectly fine
Example: Here is the mission statement of the Friends of Dubuque County Library:
The Friends of Dubuque County Library are book lovers, information seekers, readers, listeners, music and movie buffs. We are both young and old, with varying interests and backgrounds. We all treasure ideas and value the Dubuque County Library. We believe that the Dubuque County Library is an excellent library, ready to serve the whole community.
The Friends support library programs, raise money for special purposes, volunteer to do projects, promote community awareness of libraries, and support the library through advocacy in the community.

11. Mission Statement Elements: Who are you? What does the group do?
How do they do it?

12. Establishing Communication and Structure
Core group and officers
Contact Lists
account
Meetings
Liaisons
Relationship to Library Board
By-Laws
Dues
Bank account

13. Recruiting Members Friends bring friends Flyers at library
Church bulletins
School newsletters
Time and Talent Sheets
Following is the DCL Time and Talent Sheet:

14. Friends of Dubuque County Library
Recruiting Members
Friends of Dubuque County Library
Time and Talent Sheet
(I Want to Help)
We are re-vitalizing the Friends group and an organization is only as productive as its members. Please complete the following if you would like to strengthen our group and support the libraries of Dubuque County.
I can best help the Friends by:
Serving on the Friends Board: ______
Serving on a Board committee: membership, fundraising, publicity, other ________________________________________________________________
Volunteering for library programs:
___ Children’s
___ Teen
___ Adult (book discussions, speakers, etc.)
___ Family (movie nights, story times)
___ Community Events (parades, fairs, etc.)
___ Other
I am willing to volunteer at: (Check all that apply.)
___ Asbury ___ Epworth ___ Peosta
___ Farley ___ Holy Cross
I am not able to contribute my time but I would like to make a donation:
__$_________________
Name:
Phone:
Address:
Please return to: Friends of Dubuque County Library, Mary Pfeiler, Flannagan Rd., Holy Cross, Iowa or your nearest library branch.

15. Achieving Nonprofit Status
Federal EIN
Employer Identification Number
Needed for other applications
State nonprofit status
Registering with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office

16. 501c3 Status
Ducks in a row – you need lots in place to begin this process
Friends board members who are lawyers come in handy
Local lawyer may do pro-bono work for you

17. Fundraising Fundraising can be fun Why fundraise?
Promotes sense of community/common purpose
Makes everyone feel like can contribute
Fun activities
Why fundraise?
There must be a purpose.
Where is the money going to be used?
Separate, established bank account

18. Fundraising Options Lots of options Book sales Bake sales
Mystery parties
Galas
Authors
Craft sales
Garage sales

19. Outreach Send out notes of meetings Ask for ideas
Newsletters – paper and online
Space on library website
Keep members informed of volunteer opportunities
Membership drives

20. Activities Keep Friends energized Keep presenting projects
Keep listening
Keep asking for funds
Sample Friends request template:

21. Friends Request Template
To: Friends of the Dubuque County Library
From: Dawn Hayslett, Director of the Dubuque County Library
Date:
Request For:
_________ Funding _______ Volunteers
Description:
Total Request:
Approved: ________
Tabled: __________
Denied: __________
Date: ____________

22. Creating a Shared Vision
Communication is essential – everyone must know what everyone is doing; Director, Friends Board, Library Board
Plan for the future – energize the present

23. Vision continued Keep Friends energized
Friends education – think of them when you are considering workshops, conferences, seminars, etc.
Learning about libraries is always a good idea
Bring in new ideas
Create enthusiasm
Establish a network for sharing/expertise

24. National Resource
ALTAFF (Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations) is part of American Library Association
They offer:
Fact sheets
Books
Conferences
Workshops
Grants and awards
Advocacy information

25. Local Resources Other Friends groups Great source for ideas
Proven successes
Your Local Service Area
They have experience with Friends groups

26. Local Resources Dawn Hayslett Dubuque County Library
I love talking about Friends, here’s my contact information:
Dawn Hayslett
Dubuque County Library
5900 Saratoga Plaza Suite 5
Asbury, IA –

27. Remember . . .
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
--C.S. Lewis ( )
Author of The Lion Witch, and the Wardrobe
Find those souls in your community and you will have Friends