There are numerous Friends' Groups around Australia which support their libraries and library users and their recent activities or general notices are available on this page.
To view the recent activities or general notices of the Friends' Groups by state, click on the appropriate state on the map.
A full listing of the Friends' Groups is available for you to look at.
FOLA is compiling a list of Friends' Groups who have a web site or have a link to their Friends' Groups or are mentioned on the library's web address. Send us details (link address along with the name of the FOL Group).
If you run a Friends' Group and would like access to this web page to keep your own Friends' Groups information up to date, please contact Daniel Ferguson, FOLA.
The June Friends newsletter reported on Council boosting library funding for 2007/08 by $1 million. The Mayor, Cr Leigh Hardinge (a Friends supporter) stated "Libraries are the backbone of knowledge and understanding, so its really important that councils invest in these vital services".
The Friends of Altona Library turns 20 in 2007. The group was started by the then Library Manager, Daniel Ferguson, in November 1987. It is now one of the most successful FOL groups in the country.
Jellie Wyckelsma, former FOLA Committee member (and FOLA Life Member) attended the 10th anniversary function of FOLA held at the National Library of Australia in Canberra on 3 December.
Jellie was pleased to represent Inverloch Friends and inform those present of the many exciting activities at Inverloch and within the West Gippsland Regional Library Service.
The Friends held their 3rd annual writing competition for young residents in the district. This type of project again received the full support of the local primary schools. The winners were rewarded with a book voucher from the local bookshop and a calico FOIL Library Bag. Winners read their work at a function in the library, with parents and many proud grandparents attending.
Friends of Drouin Library are a small dedicated group formed only in August 2004. Already they have lobbied the Library to have a rear entry for wheel chair access to be available at the library, following several minor accidents. They have also lobbied local Council and Vic Roads for a controlled pedestrian crossing next to the library. At present they are raising funds for updated shelving and improvements to the library building and in February held a Ficcifolia Festival.