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Rio Rancho, NM
The Friends of the Library of Rio Rancho, Inc., help city schools by collecting Box Tops for Education and Campbell’s
soup labels. The Friends collect these and redistribute to the schools. The schools redeem them for books and other education supplies. To learn more visit
www.boxtops4education.com and
www.labelsforeducation.com.
Livonia, NY
During one of the Friends book sales, two elderly women approached the Friends table and said they heard the library was “getting rid” of the card catalog. Instead of complaining, they asked if there was anyone in the library who could show them how to use the online catalog. The Friends approached the library director about writing a grant, and from there the group helped to write a successful proposal to purchase laptop computers for training. The “Just for Seniors” training program uses grant funds provided by Senator Dale Volker and Assemblyman Joe Errigo. The training program provides one-on-one training in basic computer skills and/or how to use the online catalog.
Salisbury, NC
The Friends of the Rowan Public Library recently reached out to help children of military families. Responding to a plea from a liaison for the U.S. Army Reserve’s 846th Transportation Company, the Friends donated $400 for the purchase of children’s books explaining deployment. The books were distributed at the send-off for the “Road Dawgs” as they headed out for a year-long deployment to southwest Asia.
Loveland, CO
The board of directors of The Friends of the Loveland Public Library Foundation, Inc. seeks ways to cultivate relationships
that are mutually beneficial. Being a non-profit member of the Downtown Loveland Association (DLA) helps the board develop relationships with neighbors. The group feels that since the library is downtown, what happens downtown impacts the library. They deliberately schedule their Loveland Lights celebration on the same weekend as the DLAWinter Walk so that more
people will be attracted to both events. The group also cooperates with the DLA in planning events and in working with
City Council to attract visitors as well as Lovelanders to discover the uniqueness and excitement in downtown Loveland.
Upcoming projects include participating in the Downtown Cleanup Day and hosting the DLA’s monthly networking party.
Tellico Village, TN
Friends of the Tellico Village Library and Bruce Martin, a State Farm insurance agent, have formed a unique partnership.
Whenever Friends clean up the roadside of Highway 321, Martin makes a contribution to the library. He also bears some of the expense of printing the Friends’ newsletter and subscribes to magazines chosen by the library manager.
Harrison, AK
The Friends of the Boone County Library have a unique program to support literacy in daycare centers. Members have long read to daycare children, and for a few years the Friends have left books at specific daycare centers to be read to children by staff or visitors. Recently a member donated $5,000 for the purchase of books suited for reading to young children. These books are duplicates of books in the library collection. Several daycare centers have received 50 book mini-libraries at their facilities as part of the expanded program. These books are available for staff and visitors to read to the children and are rotated (replaced) with another 50 books every month. The Friends prepared all the books for non-automated
circulation by affixing a pocket and card to every book. Just like in the old days, the book is checked out by the librarian
by placing the borrower’s name on the card and retaining the card for audit purposes. In this case, the librarian is the
day care manager. The Friends will continue to provide a fresh supply of books monthly.
Wethersfield, CT
The Wethersfield Library once again offered their annual holiday Mitten Tree. The library puts up a tree each year and
members of the community decorate it with mittens, socks, mufflers, hats, and other cold weather items. The Wethersfield
Social and Youth Services Department distributes the donated items to needy individuals and families in town. Need comes in all sizes, so items of any size, any color, and any fabric from yarn to leather, are welcomed. This neighbor-to-
neighbor project benefits residents of any age, and residents of any age can contribute.
Harrison, AK
The Friends of the Boone County Library are reaching out to teachers through a yearly teacher appreciation event of the Harrison Chamber of Commerce. The Friends provided $5 certificates to be distributed to all teachers in the county. The certificates read, “This $5.00 certificate is good for the purchase of books at any Friends of the Library (FOL) book sale through August 2009. For sale dates, check out
www.folbc.org or look for announcements in the Harrison Daily Times and other media outlets.” The Friends not only hope to provide teachers with some extra books for the classroom, but also to make the Friends known to more people and let the teachers know the Friends appreciate them.
Maryland
The Citizens for Maryland’s Libraries (state Friends group of Maryland) and the Maryland Library Association sponsored
a booth at the Baltimore Book Festival in September. Thousands of people stopped by to report how much they loved their library. “Quench your thirst” bottles of water were very popular too, as the festival goers enjoyed hot and sunny days. The bottles featured labels that read “Quench your thirst for knowledge at the library.”
Tulsa, OK
From helping support book reviews to planning music programs, the Friends of Tulsa City-County Libraries hold the love of reading close to their hearts. The Friends offer the program “Ambassadors,” which bring book reviews and special interest topics to seniors who cannot visit the library. The Ambassadors visit local assisted living and retirement centers, church groups, and retiree clubs. The Ambassadors project was created seven years ago and grew out of the Friends Outreach Committee. “The mission of the group is to promote the goals of the library through diverse activities and programs,” said Gretchen Hannefield, Friends Liaison and Volunteer Coordinator. “It is important to remain mentally stimulated and discuss
good books with others.” However the Ambassadors offer more than book reviews. Sometimes they dress in fun costumes that relate to the topic and offer music, history, poetry or photo presentations. Some Ambassadors have taught art, created poetry, or entertained with music. The program needs a variety of volunteers from different backgrounds to remain successful. Ambassador program visits are free and coordinated by Hannefield through a program booklet that is produced and distributed to centers and clubs in the area.
Wildomar, CA
For the past five years, the Friends of the Mission Trail Library have recognized students at David A. Brown Middle
School in Wildowar for outstanding citizenship. Student nominees in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades are recommended by
their teachers and councilors and they must submit a written response to their understanding of Citizenship and what it
means to them. A selected committee from the Friends evaluate the responses and invite all candidates to a personal
interview. At a banquet at the Mission Trail Library, attended by all candidates and their families, certificates honoring
all of the finalists and winners of the Outstanding Citizenship award are presented.
Bound Brook, NJ
On the back of library’s newsletter (sponsored by the Friends of the Bound Brook Memorial Library), it reads, “Please recycle this newsletter by sharing it with a friend, family member, or neighbor.”
St. Clair, MI
To help their community celebrate its sesquicentennial in 2008, the Friends of the St. Clair Library entered a float in a
parade and also held an ice cream social.
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Every August, the Friends of the Bayliss Public Library share an informational booth with their library at the Sault Summer
Arts Festival. They have a small selection of books for sale and put up a display showing what the Friends have been doing for the past few years.
