LIBRARY FRIENDS AND FOUNDATIONS

Libraries need friends today more than ever. Library Friends and Foundations can be effective and important advocates for the library. They volunteer their time, energy and expertise to ensure that libraries stay strong, relevant and funded.  

Friends of the Library groups play a vital role in supporting libraries by mobilizing community support, fundraising, and volunteering. They are usually separate legal entities from the library and the Library Board, which allows them greater flexibility in activities like advocacy and fundraising. While the Library Board governs and the Library Director manages the library, Friends Groups focus on public engagement and supplemental support. Their independence is particularly useful in fundraising and advocacy efforts, as they can support budget votes and campaigns in ways the library itself cannot. Successful collaboration between the Friends Group, Library Board, and Library Director hinges on clear communication and a well-defined understanding of each group’s roles and responsibilities.  

Library Foundations: In addition to Friends of the Library groups, many libraries—particularly larger ones—also use library foundations to attract more substantial support. While Friends groups typically focus on day-to-day fundraising activities, foundations are usually set up to secure major contributions for significant capital projects or ongoing programs that extend beyond the library’s routine operations.  

There are many steps involved setting up a Friends of the Library group or a Library Foundation.  It is important to consider your overall goals and priorities such as fundraising, library promotion and marketing, community engagement and advocacy in addition to your ability for sustainable leadership.  You will need to develop a mission, vision and goals, establish bylaws and 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, identify officers and executive board.  Remember you will be creating a new organization with specific local, state and federal requirements.  Be sure you have the capacity for a long-term commitment. 

Resources to learn more about Friends of the Library and Library Foundations: 

 United for Libraries Resources for Friends Groups | United for Libraries (ala.org) United for Libraries offers valuable resources and tool kits. The Libraries Need Friends: A Toolkit to Create Friends Groups or to Revitalize the One you Have was last updated in 2012, but the fundamentals still stand.  

The E’s of Libraries® & What’s Your E?™ | United for Libraries (ala.org) 

To download slides from WLS Library Friends presentation in 2023: Revitalizing_Strengthening Friends rev 

Library Friends and Foundations outside of NY: Here are some successful Friends/Foundations from around the country worth taking a look at: 

WLS Member Library Foundations

WLS Member Library Friends

  • Friends of the Ardsley Public Library  
  • The Friends of the Bedford Free Library  
  • Friends of Briarcliff Manor Public Library    
  • Friends of the Crestwood Library    
  • Friends of the Eastchester Public Library  
  • Friends of The Field Library    
  • Friends of Greenburgh Library  
  • Friends of Irvington Public Library  
  • Friends of the John C. Hart Memorial Library   
  • Friends of the Larchmont Public Library  
  • Friends of the Mamaroneck Public Library  
  • Friends of the North Castle Library    
  • The Friends of the White Plains Public Library  
  • Friends of the Yonkers Public Library 

New York Library Association (NYLA) has updated and revitalized its Friends of Libraries section (FLS). FLS creates a network to connect and inspire Friends groups in all types of libraries to support the New York library community. It is another opportunity to share information and best practices and exchange ideas. It may be worth becoming a member to take advantage of the network community. In 2024, FLS will present several programs relevant to Friends at the NYLA Conference in Syracuse November 6-9. For more information on NYLA membership, FLS and the conference: Friends of Libraries Section (nyla.org)