What is a Friend of the Library?
Friends are citizens who value the service of libraries and volunteer to help them. Friends usually operate with a self-elected Board of directors representing the community.
- Friends may be future Trustees, and Trustees future Friends; however, there should be no overlapping boards (see below).
- Friends are kept informed of the library's plans, progress, and challenges by the library director.
- A Friends Board member should be appointed as a liaison to the library's Board of Trustees. This liaison should attend all Trustee meetings, be prepared to report Friends issues and activities to the Trustees, and report back to the Friends.
- Friends recognize that they do not perform a policy-making role for the library, but should feel that their opinions are valued by the Trustees.
- Friends support policies set by the library Board of Trustees..
- Friends serve as "connecting links" between the library and community, interpreting one to the other.
- Friends funds supplement the library's operating budget to provide materials and programs that enhance the library’s service. Friends funds should not replace money that is normally provided by the city or institution for library operations. Friends decide how to spend their money after conferring with the library director and library Board.
- Fundraising by the Friends is done with the knowledge of the Trustees and in coordination with the library director.
- Individually and collectively, Friends use their influence to assist the library in obtaining desired financial support from the community or institution by representing the library point of view to local government, academic leadership, legislators and the media