USA News
On this page:
- Sandy Dolnick
- Madison Friends
- Park Forest Friends
- Friends of Jefferson and Friends of the Austin Public Library
- Kansas State Library
- Excerpt from the Wake County Newsletter
Sandy Dolnick
Sandy Dolnick was founder, first president and first executive director of Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA). For the 25th edition of FOLUSA's NewsUpdate, Sandy made the following remarks...
"Back in the mid-1970s I was co-chair of a stagnating Friends group in Milwaukee and I was looking for some good ideas for the group. As it happened, ALA was holding their annual conference in Chicago so I thought that would be a good opportunity to learn something. The Library Administration and Management division (LAMA) had a Friends section so I attended their meeting. At the time, they were working on pulling together a directory of Friends groups and developing a newsletter for Friends. I volunteered to help.
"Also, at the time ALA was working on setting up the first White House Conference on Libraries and Information Science and that gave real impetus to the start of FOLUSA.
"I think I'm proud most of the breadth of the membership. What we offer at FOLUSA appeals to the most sophisticated university Friends group and to the smallest public. I'm amazed at how much one group's good ideas can and do work for another no matter how difference they are.
"I am proud that we provided an impetus for sharing ideas. It was empowering for all of us to watch good ideas share through FOLUSA spread across the nation."
Madison Friends
Madison Friends established a "Please Save Our Libraries" postcard campaign. Among the many messages sent to the Governor, asking him not to cut library funding were the following:
- Our Library is our community
- In these difficult times, libraries become even more valuable.
- I am writing this for my sister. She is just learning to read, so the library is very important to our family.
Park Forest Friends
Park Forest Friends have sent a questionnaire out asking how they could improve booksales. Some of the questions asked are relevant to most groups:
- How frequently would you like the Friends to hold a sale?
- What are your best days for attending?
- When would you like Friends to hold "Preview Sales" for members?
- Do you want special books to be specially priced?
- How do you compare our sale with others you have attended?
- Would you like to volunteer?
- What are your suggestions for making the booksales easier for browsing and buying?
New Executive Director of FOLUSA - Sally Reed has commenced duties, taking over from foundation Director, Sandy Dolnick.
Help at hand - Presidential Handbook for Friends and the Treasurer's Handbook. Contains leadership principles, duties of officers, samples of agendas and a sample of by-laws and tips on meeting procedure AND banking, legal issues, keeping accounts, sales tax. Available from Friends of Indiana Libraries for US$10 from 6078 Oakbrook Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46254. - worth a look for Australian groups, despite an American context
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Ohio Township Public Library Friends have established an e-mail mailing list that friends can join and keep in touch with fellow Friends members as well as receiving announcements of Friends events.
Friends of the Macon County Public Library
Friends of the Macon County Public Library recently revamped its web site and launched a new logo to enhance the Friends efforts to raise funds. They also have a bookstore which sells a wide variety of donated used books, rcords, puzzles and other items. They raised $90,000 last year. The Friends' web site is maintained at no charge as a community service by a local Internet service provider.
Friends of Jefferson and Friends of the Austin Public Library
Friends of Jefferson and Friends of the Austin Public Library recently advertised collectable books for sale in their newsletters. Among the 13 titles ranging in price from $25 to $500.
Kansas State Library
I THOUGHT THAT WAS MY JOB - discussions arranged by Vikki Jo Stewart at Kansas State Library to help Friends groups and the library develop stronger communications.
- Vignette 1: How Funds Raised by the Friends Should Be Spent.
- Scene: Board Room in small rural community discuss the $6,000 raised by the Friends. How should it be spent?
- Library Director: Wants to replace an Apple2E computer.
- Board president: Has two nieces and a nephew who use the dated encyclopedias to do homework
- Friends President: Signage on the library's entrance does not properly identify the building.
- Questions: Was there prior understanding of who decides how money raised by the Friends is spent. It is the responsibility of the Friends to raise money for reference books, or should this come from the annual budget. How can this situation be avoided in the future?
Excerpt from the Wake County Newsletter
Who are the Friends?
Friends of the Wake County Public Library are people from all walks of life and of all ages who share a common belief that a good public library is a valuable community asset that must be nourished and supported.
Friends of the Wake County Public Library, Inc., is an organization of citizens dedicated to promoting the continued growth of our public libraries and their services throughout Wake County
- Be a FRIEND...
- Let a BookMARK YOUR PLACE
- Join the Friends of Wake County Libraries
Pick up an enrollment form at any Wake County Public Library.
With your help, Friends can continue to:
- encourage growth and progress in Wake County's libraries
- make direct gifts to the library system
- create public support and awareness of the library's program and mission produce a quarterly newsletter