You may have seen your local Friends of the Library around, even without knowing who they were. You may have purchased used books from our book sale and not known that you were talking to volunteers from a local group fighting for your library. But what is this group?
Friends of the Libraries are nonprofit groups that support libraries in their communities. They are run by volunteers and exist in the US, Australia, France, South Africa, and the UK.
The key thing to know is that Friends of Libraries groups are independent from the actual administration of the library. The groups are often filling gaps — gaps in funding, support, or awareness.
The National Friends of Libraries promotes groups who support libraries across the country. Library Friends groups support local libraries in a variety of ways. As a volunteer organization, their programs raise money for library needs. Their dedication to their local libraries leaves a lasting and positive impact on their libraries and their communities.
In fact, some libraries were established through the efforts of Friends groups. Not only do Friends groups support local libraries, but they also contribute to growing academic and scientific libraries. Since 2005, the American Library Association has promoted National Friends to recognize the dedication of Friends groups across the nation.
The Friends of Wedsworth Memorial Library raised money that enabled our library to move from good to great — providing the resources for our wonderful addition, additional programming, much needed equipment, support for children’s summer reading, and special events throughout the year.
They continue to support us by sponsoring our annual book sale and promoting the library. We have a great group in this little community. The work of the Friends highlights is an on-going element. Our library is the cornerstone of the community by providing opportunities for all to engage in the joy of life-long learning and connecting with the thoughts and ideas of others from ages past to the present.
The Friends understand the critical importance of well-funded libraries and advocate to ensure that our library gets the resources it needs to provide a wide variety of services to all ages including access to print and electronic materials, along with expert assistance in research, readers’ advisory, and children’s services. A Friends group provides a unique opportunity to establish consistent, ongoing, and personal relationships within the community.
Although the date and place of the first Friends of the Library group has not been verified, it is known that public libraries and their friends were inspired by Andrew Carnegie’s generosity to communities across America. The first group to name itself as “Friends” of the Library was in France in 1913.
The number of public libraries in the Unites States grew from 637 in 1898 to 3,500 by 1919, the year that Carnegie made his last grant. Half of the new libraries were funded by Carnegie and his philanthropy stimulated fundraising and library development by community members. As Sally Gardner Reed, Director of Friends of the Library USA (FOLUSA), notes, “The citizens who changed laws, persuaded city and town leaders to fund operations, and raised money were–in spirit if not always in name-quintessential Friends of libraries.”
The first “Friends of the Library” group in the US was formed in Glen Ellyn, a suburb of Chicago, to help purchase books for the local library — another was founded not long after in Syracuse. Many libraries of prestigious US universities, including Princeton and Harvard, also went on to have Friends groups associated with them, some of which still operate today.
The American Library Association (ALA) formed a committee in 1929 to help mobilize, encourage, and assist these groups. In 1979, the Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA), which was affiliated with the ALA, was founded to give national guidance to groups around the country — which, by then, included more than 2,000 groups.
The Friends of the Library organizations across the US would end up being crucial to keeping libraries running and open during the Great Depression, proving their worth to the survival and success of libraries across the country.
The Friends’ gift of their time and commitment to the library sets an example for all in how volunteerism leads to positive civic engagement and the betterment of our community. Libraries need more advocates as budgets are cut or when they may be in danger of closing.
Your library needed a Friends group to help advocate for the Library and increase public awareness of the library. The Friends have provided the opportunity for people who have a passion for their library to give time to benefit the library in our community.
Wedsworth Memorial Library urges everyone to join the Friends of the Library and thank them for all they do to make our library and community so much better.
Our library would be much poorer without the Friends. The funds they have raised definitely put the icing on the cake. I think most patrons would be surprised to learn how many of the services and programs they enjoy are supported by the Friends. So thank a Friend. Ours have worked hard to better our community.