Friends of the Library


Who are the Friends?

All WCLS branches and the bookmobile have Friends of the Library groups who provide vital support. Many branch buildings are improved and expanded through Friends efforts and, in fact, two buildings (Deming and Island) are owned and maintained solely by the local Friends groups. 

Friends promote the library by providing programs, sponsoring special events, and raising funds for various projects.  Friends groups are always looking for new members - contact your local branch or bookmobile to find out how you can help.

Lizz Roberts is also a staff contact for Friends groups.
Email: lroberts(at sign)wcls.org.

Useful Internet Sites for Friends Groups

• Friends of California Libraries
  Interesting articles about library advocacy, the management of Friends groups, public relations, lobbying, etc. Spark your vision and energy!
  
  
• Free Complete Toolkit for Boards
  Information for nonprofit boards,everything from running successful committees, legal and tax questions, organization and more.
  
  
• Friends of the Library U.S.A (FOLUSA)
  A nationwide membership organization of local Friends groups and individuals.
  
  
• Grant Sources on the Web
  Excellent directory of grant resources on the Internet.
  
  
• A Legal Handbook of Nonprofit Corporation Volunteers
  For all volunteers, includes setting up and running a nonprofit corporation,  legal rules under which nonprofit corporations, and the volunteers who serve them, are required to operate, contracts and liability.
  
  
• Parliamentary Procedure by John A. Cagle
  An excellent resource for running meetings
  
  
• A Proposal Writing Short Course
  From the Foundation Center, this is an excellent, concise guide for learning how to write a grant or fundraising request.
  
  
• Volunteer Management
  A wide assortment of ideas for managing and recognizing volunteers.
  
  
• WLA -Washington Library Friends, Foundations and Trustees Association
  An Interest Group of the Washington Library Association (WLA). Its mission is to promote libraries and library services; to promote, encourage, and assist in the training and education of library Trustees and to help in solving their problems; to promote and encourage friends of libraries to share ideas and enthusiasm.

Friends of the Library Book Endowment 

A book endowment is an opportunity to give pleasure to others through books while helping to preserve memories of special persons or to recognize valuable events, organizations, community work or good deeds; and to honor the persons associated with them.  Financial contributions are made to the endowment. A book is purchased and a book plate is placed in it  which recognizes the name of the person or other entity in whose honor or memory the book is purchased.

For more information about making a contribution or joining the Friends of the Library Book Endowment, contact the Library Director.

The Friends of the Library Book Endowment is part of the Whatcom County Library Foundation.