Mid-Hudson Library System
The Digital Friends Group Library
Membership Resource Center
Membership Resource Center
Friends may be one of two types. As defined by the Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA) there are "contributing members" who faithfully write a check every year because they want to support the library; and "active members" who serve on the executive board and/or are willing to volunteer for committee assignments and other Friends' projects. Both types of members are important - "contributors" because their money helps you help the library, and "active members" because they help with the work and leadership of the group. [From FOLUSA's Getting and Keeping Members Fact Sheet]
1) Let people know who you are and why they would want to join your group.
Sample Friends Group Mission Statements:
- Friends of the Clifton Park - Halfmoon Public Library (NY)
- Livonia Public Library (NY)
- Friends of Appleton Library (WI)
- Friends of the Multnomah County Library (OR)
2) Let people know how to join your group:
- Friends of the Flint Memorial Library (MA)
- Friends of the Henderson County Public Library (NC)
- Bethel Public Library (CT)
- Westport Public Library (CT)
- Friends of the Haverhill Public Library (MA)
- Friends of the West Bloomfield Library (MI)
3) Put it all together into a PR piece:
Samples:
Brochure Gallery
- Web Sites
- PowerPoint presentation [Julia L. Butterfield Library in Cold Spring].
4) Managing MembershipArticle:
Technology Solutions:
- Free Databases from TechSoup
- MS Access [Microsoft Office]
- Fee-based Membership Management Resources
- eTapestry [discount available through TechSoup Stock]
- MemberClicks
Helpful Books and Web Sites:
[under construction][Books]
From the MHLS Professional Collection
- The Essential Friends of Libraries: Fast Facts, Forms, and Tips
Dolnick, Sandy.
Chicago : American Library Association, 2004- 101+ Great Ideas for Libraries and Friends: Marketing, Fundraising, Friends Development, and More!
Reed, Sally Gardner
New York : Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2004- Library Friends Guidelines
Short, Jack (John T.)
Avon, CT : Consultant Publications, c1997- Friends of Libraries Sourcebook
Dolnick, Sandy.
Chicago : American Library Association, 1996- Empire Friends: How to Form or Revitalize a Library Support Group
Albany : New York Library Association, 1995.- Organizing Friends groups: A How-to-do-it Manual for Librarians
Herring, Mark Youngblood
New York : Neal-Schuman, 1992- Look for more titles by searching the full MHLS Online Catalog
[Web Sites]
- Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA)
- Fact Sheet 1: Starting a Friends Group
- Fact Sheet 7: How to Revitalize Your Friends Group
- Fact Sheet 18: Getting and Keeping Members
- Good Ideas from the Network: Membership
- Brochure Resources
- TechSoup Stock [discounted software for nonprofits]
- WebJunction Learning Center