Library Forming “Friends Of The Library” Group, Volunteers Wanted
March 12, 2020
Isaac Estes-Jones
The Stone County Library has announced the formation of a Friends of the Library organization to help fund special projects. Many library systems have a friends of the library group.
According to a press release, an organizational meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 24, in the Galena branch of the Stone County Library at 10 a.m. The Friends of the Stone County Library is a not-for-profit organization with the purpose of raising funds to support the needs of the library, including any special programs.
Rebecca Payne, director of the library, said, “Many public libraries have a Friends Group to help with special projects for the library. We are in a place, now, where the library would benefit from such a group.”
Having a Friends of the Library group helps the library get around fundraising issues. “Usually a FOTL runs an annual book sale and other fundraisers for the library. As a political subdivision we can’t actually sell anything, so they handle that and the money goes back to the library. They can also help with applying for grants to benefit the library,” said Payne.
“I also foresee our FOTL helping with larger events like parades and our Christmas after-parties. The friends group has the sole purpose of supporting the library,” she said.
As an independent organization, the Friends of the Library will have its own bylaws and structure.
Any questions about the group may be directed to Rebecca Payne at rpayne@scl.lib.mo.us or (417) 357-6410.
The Stone County Library has announced the formation of a Friends of the Library organization to help fund special projects. Many library systems have a friends of the library group.
According to a press release, an organizational meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 24, in the Galena branch of the Stone County Library at 10 a.m. The Friends of the Stone County Library is a not-for-profit organization with the purpose of raising funds to support the needs of the library, including any special programs.
Rebecca Payne, director of the library, said, “Many public libraries have a Friends Group to help with special projects for the library. We are in a place, now, where the library would benefit from such a group.”
Having a Friends of the Library group helps the library get around fundraising issues. “Usually a FOTL runs an annual book sale and other fundraisers for the library. As a political subdivision we can’t actually sell anything, so they handle that and the money goes back to the library. They can also help with applying for grants to benefit the library,” said Payne.
“I also foresee our FOTL helping with larger events like parades and our Christmas after-parties. The friends group has the sole purpose of supporting the library,” she said.
As an independent organization, the Friends of the Library will have its own bylaws and structure.
Any questions about the group may be directed to Rebecca Payne at rpayne@scl.lib.mo.us or (417) 357-6410.