United for Libraries National Friends of Libraries Week webinar recording available; Award application portal opens soon

EXTON, Pennsylvania — United for Libraries is offering free access to the recording of the National Friends of Libraries Week webinar, which was held on Tuesday, September 10 at 2:00 p.m. eastern, on the United for Libraries website. Featured speakers include Judy Bentzen (Friends of the San Juan Island Library) and Katie Norris (Friends of the Charleston Public Library).

Coordinated by United for Libraries, National Friends of Libraries Week is an annual celebration of Friends of Libraries groups. The week is an opportunity for Friends to creatively promote their groups in the community, to raise awareness, and to promote membership. It also serves an excellent opportunity for libraries and Board of Trustee groups to recognize the Friends for their help and support of the library.

Library Trustees, advocates, Friends, Foundations, directors, and staff are invited to view this recording of a presentation from past winners of the National Friends of Libraries Week Awards. Judy Bentzen, Treasurer of the Friends of the San Juan Island Library (Wash.), discussed her group’s 2017 NFOLW Award-winning project, “Our Library is the Heart of the Island.” Katie Norris, President of the Friends of the Charleston Public Library (S.C.) at the time of their award-winning Board Reunion Celebration in 2018, discussed her Friends Group’s successful efforts. A highly informative Q&A session followed both presentations.

The National Friends of Libraries Week Awards encourage Friends of Libraries to celebrate and promote their groups within the community. Each year, two Friends groups are awarded $250 each in honor of their celebrations during the week. Application criteria can be viewed at ala.org/united/grants_awards/friends/friendsweek and applications can be submitted following NFOLW and through Dec. 4.

To access the recording of the National Friends of Libraries Week webinar, visit ala.org/united/nfolw. For more information about National Friends of Libraries Week, visit ala.org/united/events_conferences/folweek or RSVP to the Facebook event. For a list of other webinars offered by United for Libraries, visit ala.org/united/training/webinars.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. To join, please visit www.ala.org/united or call (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161.