Advocacy through Councils
Friends of Libraries - Community Voice, Council Partner
A guide to the role of Friends of Libraries groups for Australian local government, state governments and regional library corporations
Friends of Libraries groups for public libraries are increasing throughout Australia, and number over 160. Their role is to support, help resource, and to inform the investment required of local and state government in the most heavily used and valued 'cradle to grave' community service - public libraries.
Friends of Libraries Australia encourages Councils to
- Foster Friends of Libraries groups as valued, independent, voices of the community about library services and needs.
- Specify the fostering of Friends of Libraries groups in the role statements and performance indicators of Library Managers.
- Support the development of Friends of Libraries as independent incorporated bodies.
- Provide public liability insurance for the activities, programs and library fund raising of Friends groups.
- Support the development of Young/ Junior Friends of Libraries.
- Include a nominee(s) of Friends of Libraries groups on council/regional library advisory committees.
- Provide Friends of the Library rooms or lounges in new/rebuilt libraries.
- Provide publicity opportunities for Friends of Libraries groups.
- Follow the Australian Library and Information Association's Statement on voluntary work in library and information services.