Define purpose - American Library Association...lost without them.” Je ssica Francis Kane, Author “Academic libraries must consider theAcademic libraries must consider the perspectives

Library Friends: Building Relationships, Making Connections

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Copyrigt United for Libraries 1

Dr. Charles Hanson, DirectorKettering University Library

“Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.” – Walter Cronkite, Broadcaster

Define the purpose:What do you want (expect) from your Friends?

Advocate

Social Planner

Fundraiser

Volunteers

Public Relations

Library Friends: Making Connections, Building Relationships 8/8/13

Copyright United for Libraries 1


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Why does the library need Friends?

To continuously improve the Library and To continuously improve the Library and Archives

To promote connections with administration, faculty, staff, and students

To advance technologicallyg y

To preserve historical resources of industry, business, and GMI/Kettering University history “My guess is [it will be] about 300 years until computers are as

good as, say, your local reference library in search.” – Craig Silverstein, Director of Technology

What does FOLA do? Host speaker series, gaming nights, and special events Host speaker series, gaming nights, and special events for the Kettering University community and FOLA members

Host receptions to show appreciation for Kettering students, faculty, and staffstudents, faculty, and staff

Organize the annual Book Sale and Silent Auction and member appreciation event




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What does FOLA do? Promote activities to highlight the services of the Promote activities to highlight the services of the Library and Archives (e.g., Chevrolet 100th Celebration, July 17‐23, 2011).

Raise money to support the Library and Archives.

“The library has gone from being a core value to a cost center, and the university has sent us the bill.”

– Mary Ellen Davis, Executive Director, ACRL

FOLA Benefits FOLA members are permitted to check out materials FOLA members are permitted to check out materials from the library

Members may receive discounts on FOLA events and programs

Friends receive a tax deductible receipt with their thank you letter




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FOLA Benefits

Friends are invited to “members only” events (Sodexo Food Services)

Friends can serve on committees or participate in sponsored activities (e.g., FOLA Fundraising Action p ( g , gCommittee)

“I do almost all of my writing in libraries. I’d be lost without them.” Jessica Francis Kane, Author

“Academic libraries must consider theAcademic libraries must consider the perspectives of senior academic leaders

and other stakeholders at their parent institutions, rather than limiting their

perspective to their own library-centric point of view” – Megan Oakleaf, author of

The Value of Academic Libraries




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ConnectionsDevelopment OfficeDevelopment Office

Office of Student Life

Sodexo

Provost Office

Flint Community

Director of Greek Life“I cannot live without books.”

–Thomas Jefferson

What has FOLA supported? Gaming Night & Student/Staff Receptions

DVD d G hi N l f h k DVDs and Graphic Novels for checkout

Technology (Digital camera, Kindle, iPad2, iMac)

Spinner Racks

Paint the Pillar Contest

Library Café

Memberships in United for Libraries, FOMLp

Marketing the library

Fundraising (Book Sale & Silent Auction, Flint Home Tour)

Float in the Flint Christmas Parade

DVDs (GMI/Kettering University History)




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FOLA Structure

Bylaws

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Strategic Plan Strategic Plan

Committees

FOLA Board Meets quarterlyMeets quarterly

Composed of faculty, alumni, staff, and students

Two committees

Finance & Fundraising

Public Relations & MarketingMarketing

Task Forces

FOLA Speaker Series, etc.




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“Access to knowledge is the superb,the supreme act of truly great civilizations.

Of all the institutions that purport to do this, free libraries stand virtually alone

in accomplishing this mission.” – Toni Morrison, author

The Ten Commandmentsof a Successful Friends Group1. The library director must be in favor of a friends 1. The library director must be in favor of a friends

group.

2. The library staff must be willing to work with Friends.

3. All parties involved must realize that a time commitment is involved and that a successful group is no accident.

4. The library must agree on which of its resources will be used by the Friends.

5. A committed core group must exist.From the Friends of the Marple Public Library, Broomall, PA




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The Ten Commandmentsof a Successful Friends Group6. The authority to which the library director reports must y y p

recognize the Friends group.

7. Communication must be open to the full library community.

8. All those involved in the Friends must realize that the Friends group does not make library policy.

9. The library must decide, in discussion with the Friends, the 9. The library must decide, in discussion with the Friends, the roles it wishes the group to play.

10. Money raised by the Friends should be distributed in collaboration with library administration and in keeping with the library director’s “Wish List.” (C. Hanson revision)

From the Friends of the Marple Public Library, Broomall, PA

“Libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy, and community… Libraries can never be

shushed.” – Paula Poundstone, Author




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10 Reasons Why an Academic LibraryMight Want a Friends Group

1 Friends promote collaboration and 1. Friends promote collaboration and cooperation.

2. Friends provide opportunities for networking.

3. Friends can assist with marketing and promoting your library.

4. Friends can offer opportunities for fundraising.

5. Friends can lift you up when you are down.

10 Reasons Why an Academic LibraryMight Want a Friends Group

6 Friends can help you celebrate6. Friends can help you celebrate.

7. Friends can speak (sometimes loudly) in support of your library.

8. Friends can maximize professional development and involvement.

9. Friends can provide a sense of pride and accomplishment.

10. The Friends mission is strongly aligned with the academic library’s mission.




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kettering.edu/library/fola

Friends on Campus Articles:

ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/altaff/friendszone/friendsoncampus/index.cfm

“Every sentence of every paragraph I write has its roots in a library. In the archives I plunder for primary material, in the ancient newspapers and journals I devour for background, in the reference librarians who find resources and solve

conundrums and point me down new and unimagined paths of research. God bless them one and all.” – Daniel Okrent, Author



Documents

Define purpose - American Library Association...lost without them.” Je ssica Francis Kane, Author “Academic libraries must consider theAcademic libraries must consider the perspectives