FRIENDS OF CANADIAN LIBRARIES 

British Columbia Library Association - http://www.bcla.bc.ca/default.aspx

Beyond 20/20: Envisioning the Future

Title: Librarians, Trustees, and Friends: Partners in the Future Conference

Date: Saturday, April 21st
Time: 10:45-Noon
Convenor: Jocelyn MacNeil

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Star Treckies beware!! Everyone has a vision of what the future library will be like. In this session you will hear from trustees, librarians and Friends who will describe how each envisions the future, but more importantly, how the Friends can help make it happen. And where would we be without the Friends? You will learn how Friends can work in harmony and cooperation with trustees and the Library CEO can provide for a skilled footing in fundraising, advocacy, activities, harness a viable volunteer base and provide for a greater library visibility by entering into stronger collaborations with the broad community.

Speaker(s):
Paul Whitney, City Librarian, Vancouver Public Library
Laurence L. Lavender, President, BC Trustees Association
Nicholas Spillios, President, Friends of Canadian Libraries

BCLA PRESENTATION BY THE FRIENDS OF CANADIAN LIBRARIES

by Nicholas Spillios

Who are friends?
How can you tell a friend when you see one?
What have we done?
How do friends see trustees?
How do trustees see friends?
How do friends see CEO/staff?
What future partnerships can be established?

WHO ARE FRIENDS ?

• “Connecting links” for library & community

• Friends are people connected

• Friends are not staff

• Friends don’t act independently

• Friends are not trustees

• Action driven/doers, team builders, volunteers

HOW CAN YOU TELL A FRIEND WHEN YOU SEE ONE?

• Friends are visible and speak up for the Library at public meetings and political forums

• Friends are informed about the immediate needs of their library and can articulate them to others.

• Friends are connected to the community and take leadership roles in other organizations

• Friends believe that the Library has the power to shape lives and can articulate this stand to others

• Friends believe that they are the best advocates for achieving excellence in library service and are committed to such achievement.

THINGS FRIENDS HAVE DONE

• Ottawa Separates Board/Advocacy

• Cranbrook - $168,000 From Human Resources For Community Outreach

• Winchester, Vermont On Library’s Centennial - Architectural Drawings

• BookCrossing Release Books On World

• Edmonton Com/Anti-Prej. Film Fest

• St. Paul Friends Issues Press Release On Advocacy/Position Paper

• Books For Babies At Coquitlam, B.C.

• Winnipeg Hosts Authors Brunch

Friends see trustees as:

• Library leaders

• Community leaders

• Committed citizens

• Future friends

• Sharing same vision/ mission

• Offering advice and direction

• Supporters of friends events

• Policy gatekeepers

Trustees see friends

• Respecting trustee decisions

• Sharing goals and objectives

• Active in library fundraising

• Sharing same library voice to community, city council and media

• Acting as partners in advocacy

• Consulting with trustees/CEO on common issues

How friends see CEO/staff

• The key to friends success

• Key to friends’ role definition

• Guidance on development

• Communicators for friends

• Input on needs for activities

• Placing limits on time demands

• Giving attention by appointing staff to liaise

• Major determiners on resources use

 Future Partnerships

Friends are Volunteers

• Friends can match volunteers to task

• Friends identify volunteers for specific activities/events

• Volunteers can assist in high profile events requiring high numbers

• Friends appreciate that some volunteers choose to participate on an intermittent basis

• Can assist in book sales, record survey info, shut-in services

Friends are Partners

• Among our greatest library advocates and fundraisers

• Articulate why the library matters to decision makers

• Speaking as another voice to city officials and political forums

• Plan book/author/literacy events

• Operate book shops

• Organize citizens to tell personal library stories (library websites)

• Make connections with community

            Friends are Advocates

• Friends speaking as one voice to city officials on annual basis

• Friends issue press release to media

• Friends speaking at political forums

• Partnerships w/community groups