FRIENDS OF CANADIAN LIBRARIES FOCAL POINT
Summer 2002 Vol. 5 Issue 4
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Be it resolved: That
Friends of Library groups encourage and support the preservation and
collection of local library history.
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CLA 2002 – Harry Campbell, President of Ex Libris Association, spoke on the role of Friends groups in preserving and developing library history in Canada. By the end of his presentation, and in the discussion which followed, all of us were thinking how relevant this theme is to our local library community, and what an obvious new role this is for Friends. The above resolution was unanimously and enthusiastically endorsed.
Harry outlined the present state of library history in Canada, including work by the Canadian Library Association Library Interest Group, Ex Libris, The History of the Book in Canada Project, library associations and friends of libraries. Current links to these and other records of history projects are found at:
http://exlibris.fis.utoronto.ca/links.htm
http://www.hbic.library.utoronto.ca/
http://www.cla.ca/about/igroups/history.htm
Examples of library histories on the Internet, and published articles or books on library history were reviewed. A checklist of primary sources for library history was offered. Some examples of Friends initiatives include discussions, archives, collections, exhibits and publications on local library history or of the library or Friends association. Look to FOCAL’s website www.friendsoflibraries.ca for more information, the sources checklist, and links to local library history projects.
Ex Libris published The Morton Years: The CLA, 1946-1971 in 1995. They are currently working on an archival project to develop a major database of information relating to the history and development of libraries, librarians, associations and other library-related topics.
Friend of the Year Award 2001
WINNER
River John Friends of the Library
Honourable mention
Friends of the Trail Public Library
River John Friends of the Library Society . . . lessons to be learned
CLA 2002 - Recent history of the River John Branch of the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library has been one of progress, expansion and community support. The small library first opened in 1986. With 700 registered borrowers and 1200 items borrowed a month it was one of the most actively used branch libraries in the region.
In 1997 a committee was formed to apply for Community Access Program (CAP) funding. This core group of active and committed volunteers partnered with the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library. They obtained CAP and other funding, installed three public access computers, provided volunteer support for training, expanded the hours of library service and created a community website.
By 1998 they were looking for more space to house expanding services, and it became clear it wasn’t feasible to renovate the present library. The CAP Committee, together with community volunteers, the municipal council and regional library staff formed the Friends in 2000.
Plans for the new River John Library and Innovation Centre were drawn up and the $400,000 project received some grant funding for capital and labour from CAP, the regional library, the local regional development authority and Industry Canada.
Betty Zong, the Friends Treasurer outlined their plan of action. Project costs, quotes on building supplies, cost of labour and the need to negotiate a 65% mortgage amortized over 15 years were included. The municipality’s commitment to a 15 year lease was a key factor in obtaining the mortgage, and a local credit union approached the Friends and provided the mortgage at a preferred interest rate.
A business plan provided data on the need for the project, the purpose of the Friends, the committee membership, and building management details. Financial data and statements outlined income and expenses. Supporting data included the building plans, cost analysis and other supporting documentation.
Tips
They broke ground in October 2000, and opened the library April 7, 2001. The project, from formation of the Friends to completion, took 11 months. The Friends own the building and lease it to the municipality.
Friends fundraising projects included
| Letter writing campaign – residents (current, former and summer) and corporate citizens | $50,318 |
| Friends memberships | $ 191 |
| Friends fish pond, tee shirt sales and silent auction (at Trans Canada Relay 2000) | $ 2740 |
| Catered salmon dinner during River John Festival Days | $ 2048 |
| Corporate donation – Bank of Nova Scotia | $10,000 |
| River John Clan Ball Tournament | $ 1026 |
| River John Picture Book CD | $ 887 |
| Avon Christmas ornaments | $ 160 |
| Surplus construction tools and equipment | $ 2163 |
| River John Lions Club – bottle drive | $ 2773 |
* Speakers for this session included Janice Gill, Betty Zong, Ronnie Bailey
and Rev. Don Sutherland
Librarian Eric Stackhouse was also present for the session, and his article in
Feliciter ( (Issue #2, 2001 pp. 87-89) provided additional detail including this
list of fundraising projects.
Can you answer this question posed by the
River John Friends of the Library Society:
Are we the only Friends group in Canada who owns the local library?
Send your replies to focal@accessola.com.
2003 Book Lover’s Calendar
Friends groups are probably well into planning fall promotional and fundraising events. The Book Lover’s calendar should be part of your strategy. Whitehots is once again offering Friends and libraries wholesale prices on orders of this popular product.
| Whitehots Inc.
30 Furbacher Lane, Units 1
- 2 Phone 905 727-9188 (Toll free 800 567-9188) |
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Check out our Canada Reads challenge website to learn who won the Chesley Challenge. Chesley Area Friends of the Library issued a challenge to other Friends groups and libraries across Canada. The challenge asked Friends groups and libraries to monitor how many of their patrons read 'In the Skin of a Lion', by Michael Ondaatje, the book to read for the Canada Reads initiative.
The winning community will be featured by CBC Radio on Labour Day. Stay tuned as our summer reading season unfolds, and we find our winning challenger. The website is at: http://www.friendsoflibraries.ca/canadareads.htm and register soon.
Participating libraries include:
|
Registered Library |
Population |
| County of Prince Edward Public Library (Ontario) |
25,000 |
| Chesley Area Public Library (Ontario) |
2,800 |
| Sexsmith Shannon Library (Alberta) | |
| Cobourg Public Library (Ontario) |
22,000 |
| Friends of Toronto Public Library, South Chapter (Ontario) | |
| St. John's Public Library (Newfoundland) |
172,918 |
| Wolseley Branch Library in (Saskatchewan) |
850 |
| Paris Branch - County of Brant Library (Ontario) |
9,000 |
| Mildmay Carrick Branch - Bruce County Public Library System (Ontario) |
1,000 |
| Welland Public Library (Ontario) |
49,000 |
| Orillia Public Library (Ontario) |
59, 168 |
| Prince George Public Library (British Columbia) |
82,000 |
| Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library (Ontario) |
40,000 |
| Perry Township Public Library (Ontario) |
2,465 |
| Timmins Public Library (Ontario) |
43,696 |
| Tisdale Community Library (Saskatchewan) |
2,966 |
| Bjorkdale Branch of the Wapiti Regional Library (Saskatchewan) |
260 |
2002 Annual General Meeting - - news and notes
FOCAL Executive
Two new members have been added to our Executive. Both share a long-standing and successful history with their local Friends groups, and now are willing to expand their volunteer activity to the national level.
Monica Olenroot has assumed the position of Vice President/President Elect. Due to by-law amendments approved during the recent Annual General Meeting, Monica’s term will be for one year, and she will assume the President’s role next year at our annual meeting.. Dorothy Macnaughton, President of Friends of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library, is our new secretary.
Monica has been President of Friends of the Ajax Public Library for the past
5 years. She serves as a trustee for the Ajax Library and co-chair of the
Friends Million Dollar campaign for the new library. The Library is under
construction and plans to open in the late fall of 2002. Monica has three
children, and works as a business development analyst for Venture Exchange
Network in Toronto. Her hobby, besides the Library is gardening.
Vacancies
Dorothy will be working to fill vacancies on our Board of Directors and contacting the Canadian Library Association to review the Directors who are representatives of the national association and its divisions. Your assistance would be appreciated if you would like to volunteer yourself, or nominate someone to fill a vacancy in your region. Each newsletter, and our website (http://www.friendsoflibraries.ca/assoc.html) list the current executive.
Governing documents
Some amendments were passed during our Annual General Meeting, and one will impact on our newsletter. FOCAL Point was originally our official method of communication, and all notices of meetings, amendments, news and forms were, by necessity, contained in these pages. The website and listserv are now added to the list, and may be used between newsletters for official notification of news and events.
The full list of amendments to our constitutions and bylaws is contained in the revised documents found at http://www.friendsoflibraries.ca/Constitution.htmhttp://www.friendsoflibraries.ca/Bylaws.htm.
Bryon Merrett volunteered during the Friends Day in Halifax to review our governing documents. He has provided recommendations that will eliminate duplication, and help us observe proper rules of order and parliamentary practice. I am sure you will all be delighted to see more amendments forthcoming at our next AGM!
Random House of Canada Friend of the Year Award 2001
Winner
River John Friends of the Library Society
The River John submission received top marks from our judges for their initiative, membership involvement impact on membership, and bonus credits for Friends and Library Board joint project. They built the River John Library and Innovation Centre. The facility is leased back to the municipality to house a public library and to develop community technology opportunities.
The Friends formed in 1999 in order to build the community facility. Membership includes volunteers, municipal councilors, regional library staff and Community Access Program committee members.
The new 3,000 square foot building houses the library, training area, community boardroom and a community office. The project supports the three goals of self-education, community technology development and economic innovation.
The Friends have mortgaged the cost of the building over 15 years, and their goal of raising $50,000 over three years was revised after they raised $60,000 in six months.
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Office |
Boardroom |
Training lab |
http://www.parl.ns.ca/pages/rj.html
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Special thanks to Random House of Canada Our Conference Sponsor and sponsor of Random House of Canada’s Friend of the Year Award
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Random House of Canada
Friend of the Year Award 2001
Honourable Mention
Friends of the Trail Public Library
The Friends of the Library in Trail British Columbia wanted to celebrate the community’s centennial year. A vision of a cookbook of local Italian recipes formed, and became a project that would both raise funds for the library and promote it as a contributor of local culture.
The Friends Chair Lana Rodlie promoted the "Trail Cooks Italian!" project to local businesses, service clubs and individuals, and over 250 traditional recipes were contributed. The cookbook was released in March 2001, and the first 500 copies sold quickly. By Christmas the last of the 1900 copies sold out, with the involvement of a local restaurant and grocery store.
Community partners were created, media coverage was excellent, and the Friends project was viewed as being of cultural and historical value. The book included stories and information about the local residents and Italian heritage.
Trail Cooks Italian! Cookbook
http://www.traillibrary.com/trailcooks.html
N.W.T., ALBERTA, SASKATCHEWAN, MANITOBA REPORT ON FRIENDS
Activity of Friends' groups on the prairies continues. Where no such groups
exist (Calgary, Regina), there appears to be interest of another nature. In the
N.W.T., there are plans to form a group.
The larger centres such as Saskatoon, Edmonton and Winnipeg continue to provide
strong financial support to the operation of the library. Highly visible events
have been held in Saskatoon (sponsorship of
Forkfest in which restaurants participate); while in Winnipeg that group
underwrites the operation of a Friends' Cafe and sponsors the
Writer-In-Residence program. Smaller centres such as Moose Jaw have
been active in sponsorship of an edible gift sale and holding a photography
contest focussing on the city's landmarks.
Strong commitments to new initiatives established in their libraries are
evident. In Edmonton, the Friends have completed their support of $100,000
towards the Heritage Room through the operation of casinos and are pledging
$50,000 from a recent casino for the Young Adult section. Similarly, Moose Jaw
has provided $20,000 to refurbish the Adult A-V Department and has conducted a
membership drive which raised $13,000 during the year.
Book sales and the sales of book bags appear to be the most common activity in
several groups including Saskatoon and Moose Jaw. Where book sales are not
reported, it appears that they are being handled by staff. Focus on nostalgia is
evident as with the sale of cards of historical scenes (Edmonton) and the
promotion of landmarks in a photography contest (Moose Jaw).
Some conclusions can be drawn on the prairies namely, "Friends" are unique to
the community and library they serve, pacing themselves according to the
relationship established with the administration of their library. They exhibit
creativity, boundless energy and commitment to the support and enhancement of
library collections.
By Nicholas Spillios
Director, PRAIRIES/TERRITORIES
Friends of the Edmonton Public Library
By Jami van Haaften
Friends Day 2002 - The Annual meeting is always an opportunity to look back on past successes and accomplishments, and to look forward to new challenges facing us for the coming year. I think the two fundamental aspects of FOCAL’s work, communication and conference programming, continue to be our strengths.
Website:
Our website now contains a national map of Friends groups from coast to coast. Even though we are only entering our sixth year, we have a rich archive of our shared development and knowledge of offer, through the website.
Newsletter:
The newsletter is another major communications tool, which helps connect members so we may continue to network and share news. I would like to see next year’s issues filled with more content from our membership, perhaps with some regular and guest columns from members and FOCAL directors.
Conferences:
Conference programming moves from one part of the country to another, with the same high level of expertise made available to us. This year we were able to partner with Ex Libris to share in their national association’s work, and to learn more about an exceptional library project undertaken in one lucky Nova Scotia community.
Ontario Library Association:
The Superconference this year was well attended, and from all reports the "best practices" theme relating to fundraising and membership development was very well done. During 2003 we are facing two conferences back-to-back in Toronto, one for the Ontario Library Association, and the second being a Joint CLA/ALA conference. We are looking forward to meeting Friends delegates from our neighbouring FOLUSA organization.
Executive:
This year we have an opportunity to proceed with a full Executive as Val Marshall continues in the position of Treasurer (and Past President), and two willing volunteers have come forward, in a manner of speaking, to fill the remainder of our Executive positions. I hope to introduce these new members of the executive, and Directors to the membership in upcoming issues of the newsletter.
Members:
As always, our membership is the source of information, knowledge, inspiration and new ideas. The Random House of Canada Friend of the Year Award always gives Friends an opportunity to show off their accomplishments.
The Friends group from Chesley, Ontario launched FOCAL into CBC’s Canada Reads initiative, and hopefully created a partnership with CBC which will become an annual event.
Random House of Canada:
Finally, our presence at national and provincial conferences would not be possible without the generous and sustained sponsorship of Random House of Canada. In addition to their cash donation, their sponsorship of an annual award is a tangible member benefit. I look forward to the presentation ceremony every year, even more so this year because I managed to dodge the judging duties!
Sponsors:
Other sponsors who have been with us since our early days continue to donate Friends of the Library pins, book bags and bookmarks. These come from Grolier Edu-Reference, Packaging Alternatives and Watters Marketing. Our website lists these sponsors, and helps Friends groups to learn about their merchandise, which can be used for fundraising and promotional purposes.
Southern Ontario Library Service:
We also benefit from co-operative partnerships with the Southern Ontario Library Service, which hosts our website and listserv. I don’t know where we would be without their technical support of our national website and discussion group.
Marketing:
A variety of vendors and suppliers such as Whitehots offer merchandise to Friends groups at wholesale rates to help us in our fundraising projects. More will soon be listed on our website in a new area called "market", and I hope Friends will help by sharing information about their suppliers and resources.
New library
We just about have our $1 million and we gave the council a cheque for $400,000 last month!!! The library is under construction
Books for Babies
With Ajax Friends and Oshawa Friends working together – with fabulous extra
support from Oshawa Library Staff - plus Whitby Library and now Pickering
Library, Ontario Power Generation and all our sponsors. We have come up with a
way of working with the Early Years and we are doing a modified version. We are
doing a big launch in September.
A win-win proposal
We have a new fundraising idea. As women are by far bringing in the some new
golfers, we will hold a Women's Golf Clinic in February at the local golf club.
They will supply the venue, professionals and even sponsor the lunch! The
Friends will charge $50 per person, and expect 50 women for each session -
morning and afternoon. There will be sponsors and door prizes, a fashion show at
lunch and everyone will be given a golf goody bag with tees, etc.
We will put together a sponsor proposal, then do a nice registration package
with the logos and advertise it through the library, and promote it as a
Christmas present for mother. We're thinking of a catchy name "Book your
tee-time.... Fundraiser for our new library!
Submitted by Val Marshall
Friends of the National Library of Canada Boutique – gift ideas
http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/friends/egift.htm
Friends of the National Archives
http://www.friendsofnationalarchives.ca/02/0203/0203_e.html
The Sales Shop at the Library of Congress
http://www.locstore.com/index.html
This site features selected items from the Library of Congress Sales Shop.
Sweden – school book drive Can you donate any paperback books (in good-excellent condition) reading levels from 3rd grade to adult reading levels, any kind of books easy reading children’s books, easy to read novels, comics, documentary, help books, like grammar, facts books, like on English speaking countries, Spanish books if you have any, anything really ...
Address: Wendy Becker, Kulla Sjövik, 51791 Bollebygd, Sweden. wendybecker@hotmail.com
Friends of Cuban Libraries - http://www.friendsofcubanlibraries.org/
The Friends encourage delivery of books to libraries in Cuba. You can visit their website to learn more about their activities, political advocacy and news.
Ontario Library Association
January 30 - February 1, Toronto
Program sessions will be outlined in our fall newsletter and on the FOCAL
website, following OLA’s announcement of the final program. Tentative FOCAL
programs include
Junior Friends @ Your Library
Friends for Small Libraries
Friends for the Future
Watch the OLA website (http://www.accessola.com/) and plan to register early for our Friends Day at OLA. Saturday program.
Canadian Library Association/American Library Association
June 19-25, 2003, Toronto.
Friends of Libraries U.S.A. Executive Director Sally Reed and FOCAL are already exchanging e-mail on plans for joint conference programming.
FOLUSA has a "Nuts and Bolts" program which includes table talks on various topics that are important to Friends groups such as marketing, advocacy, membership recruitment and development, etc. The subjects have not yet been determined, but Sally thinks a Canadian Friend who has developed an excellent program related to a chosen topic would be a great addition as a facilitator to one or two of these table talks.
In addition, FOLUSA’s annual author luncheon includes a few Friends groups awards, and FOCAL is welcome to schedule our Random House of Canada Friends of the Year Award at this time. The only event we will schedule separately from the FOLUSA program is our own Annual General Meeting.
FOCAL delegates will find the conference fees
charged in American dollars. The author
luncheon was estimated to cost $50.
We can only hope the registration fees
will prove affordable for members.
Hamilton Public Library …Dundas Branch Friends …
The Friends of the Dundas Library in collaboration with Dundas author Joanna Emery, initiated the book launch of Herman Smellville - her first published book for children. This event in April was a continuation in the Friends’ series "Local Authors" initiative. This humorous and illustrated tale has the theme of hygiene for five to eight year olds who have an aversion to water in conjunction with soap, toothpaste and shampoo! Sounds familiar?
On August 17-18, the Friends held their "Cactus Festival Book Sale," as part of the Dundas Cactus Festival – a four-day extravaganza of music, arts and crafts and street entertainers. This was our major fundraiser in support of our branch library.
Planned for September 15, is the next "Local Author" event with CBC’s Adrian Shuman. Adrian’s popular radio music request programme Adrian’s Music is featured in Sunday morning’s "Fresh Air" with Jeff Goodes. Growing up in Dundas, Adrian admits to being a page in the Dundas library. Welcome back Adrian. Visit Adrian’s site: http://toronto.cbc.ca/fresh/adriannew.html
Amalgamation of the Hamilton public library system has had a positive impact on the Dundas branch and our Friends organization. Our newly appointed librarian manager Karen Peter, treated the Friends and volunteers to afternoon tea and pastries in May. All volunteers received a certificate of appreciation signed by our M.P.P. Ted McMeekin. It just doesn’t get any better!
(Jim Nicol, Dundas)
Each fall the Friends of the National Library hold an auction of donated antiquarian books to raise funds for the acquisition of publications for the National Library of Canada. Last year’s auction was, once again, a big success. One hundred and fifty lots were offered, representing the spectrum of subjects – ranging from books for children, through travel and exploration, history, science, the arts, music and literature to religion and philosophy. This year’s auction will be held on the evening of Friday, October 25.
The Friends have also scheduled their Eight Annual Giant Used Book Sale September 27, 28 and 29, 2002 in Carlingwood Shopping Centre, Ottawa.
http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/amis/efriends.htm
Friends of the Orillia Public Library added me to their mailing list, and their August 2002 newsletter was full of news. Fundraising efforts are directed towards collections, compact shelving and building expansion and renewal.
A silent art auction, consisting of work donated by local artists, photographers and artisans, raised over $3,5000 in profits. The event was sponsored by a local radio station, and supported by other local media, library staff and the Library Board.
A Dream Home Doll House, with an appraised value of $2,5000, was presented to the Orillia Library in May as a fundraiser. The Friends are selling raffle tickets, with a draw date of Nov. 2nd.
The Friends spent a year collecting A&P grocery tapes, and filled four plastic garbage bags. The tapes donated at the library and in the store were worth $933.73 for the Friends. The Friends also collect IGA and Zehrs tapes.
Please add me to your newsletter mailing list, so that your news can be shared.
Jami van Haaften
1826 Marie Ave.
Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2X8
focal@accessola.com
Nancy Williams, Val Marshall and most recently Gillian Keir. are serving as volunteer proofreaders for this newsletter. As those of you who do newsletters already know, you never see your own mistakes, and I am certainly no exception. Any credit for the readability of this newsletter is due, in large part, to their efforts.
Thank you so much!
Check our website for forms and registration information you may need:
Membership form - http://www.friendsoflibraries.ca/joinf.html
***
Members who are due to renew will have a form enclosed with their newsletterListserv information – http://www.friendsoflibraries.ca/lists.html
Random House of Canada Friends of the year Award - http://www.friendsoflibraries.ca/award.html
Ontario Library Association Superconference - watch this website and register early!
http://www.accessola.com/programs/superconference/index.html
A new page has been added to the FOCAL website. It lists companies and associations offering promotional products to the library community. Many of you will recognize familiar suppliers and partner associations. Some will find new sources of merchandise.
Please let us know what needs to be added to this list! Do you have a gift shop or product you’d like listed? Help us to include your local, regional and provincial library suppliers and associations. Please share your retail information with us.
The website provides full contact information. Look for it at www.friendsoflibraries.ca/market.html.
|
Company/Association |
Product |
| Brodart | Library Advocacy campaign -
Posters and bookmarks Merchandise related to library and reading promotion |
| CLA Marketplace | The CLA Marketplace will be your one stop shop
for Library related literature in Canada! Choose from CLA or ALA books, ALA
or CSLA posters, mailing lists (CLA Members and Public Libraries in Canada),
CLA paraphernalia and more!
Member discounts. |
| Carr McLean | Dewey Decimal Classification Posters Library and Archival products |
| Friends of Canadian Libraries | Friends for Small Libraries, by Margaret Law - free to interested groups |
| Friends of the National Archives | Whether you live in Canada's National Capital
area or on the other
side of the world, items from The Friends of the National Archives boutique are available to you year-round. Just call, fax or write and we will be delighted to fill your order! Items available from the Boutique are: stationery, souvenirs, publications and videos. |
| Friends of the National Library of Canada Boutique | The Friends of the National Library of Canada
are pleased to offer an ever-growing selection of items from their boutique. Prices include taxes as well as postage and handling. |
| The OLA Store | The OLA Store offers most of the best and most
current professional literature plus promotional tools for librarians,
information specialists, and teachers and unique gifts for readers of all
ages. Member discounts. |
| Ontario Library Service
Public Library Week |
Book bags and balloons "As You Like It @ your library" "Comme il vous plais@votre bibliothèque" |
| Packaging Alternatives | Canvas bags Custom Printed |
| Whitehots | Book Lover's Calendar |
British Columbia
Friends of the Trail Public Library
Friends of the Vancouver Public Library
Alberta
Friends of the Edmonton Public Library
The Leduc Friends of the Library
St. Albert Association of Friends of the Public Library
Friends of the Thorhild Library Society
Saskatchewan
Friends of the Saskatoon Public Library
Manitoba
Friends of the Winnipeg Library
Ontario
Ajax Public LibraryFriends of the Ajax Public Library
Friends of Atikokan Public Library
Friends of the Belleville Public Library
Friends of the Campbellford/Seymour Carnegie Library
Friends of Central Resource Library (Windsor)
Chesley Area Friends of the Library
Dundas Friends of the Library (Hamilton
Friends of the London Public Library
Friends of the Madoc Public Library
Friends of the Merril Collection
Friends of the Nepean Pubic Library
Friends of the Oakville Public Library
Friends of the Orillia Public Library
Friends of the Ottawa Public Library
Friends of the Peterborough Public Library
Friends of the Penetang Public Library
Friends of the Smiths Falls Public Library
Friends of the Strathoy Public Library
Friends of the Smithers Library
Friends of the Sundridge/Strong Library Association
Friends of the Thunder Bay Public Library
Friends of the Toronto Public Library - North Chapter
Friends of the Wingham Public Library
Friends of the Woodstock Public Library
Nova Scotia
Friends of the River John Library
Individuals
Harry Campbell (Ex Libris) |
Lois Magahay (Lindsay)
Ann Eadie (West Hill)
Maria Zielinska (Ottawa)
Heather Graham (Winnipeg)
Barbara Dubrule (Oakville)
From: "Steve Mauer" <support@librarybooksales.org>
Subject: Librarybooksales.org Project Update
Date: April 30, 2002 11:26 PM
Hello,
We would like to remind you about: http://www.librarybooksales.org
Librarybooksales gives libraries the tools needed to sell their better books on-line, reaching the entire world market. Data entry is actually fun (really!). Lots of drop-down fields, tips on selling old books, a chat room and soon there will be video clips of past tele-conferences.
The site is open to any library. Special collections, University libraries and affiliated groups are welcome to join. Cull out those duplicates, surplus stock or one-of-a-kind rarities.
. . . . . .
Yes, product sales are sometimes worthwhile - IF your nonprofit group:
a) has lots of willing volunteers
b) is ethically comfortable with the product
c) gets to keep at least 40% of the retail price (preferably 60%)
d) can return any leftovers (or better yet order only the
exact quantity needed after sales are complete) and not get
stuck with a closet full of stuff
e) merchandise is not perishable, like fresh flowers or calendars.
So have you had good -- or bad -- experiences with product sales?
What percentage did you get to keep?
What were the hidden costs aside from the merchandise itself?
What tips would you share to make product sales better?
Best/worst product?
I'd be happy to hear your story (and share it with others)!
Ken Wyman, C.F.R.E.
Email KenWyman@CompuServe.com
Scholarships and bursaries
From: "Ingrid Keuper Dalton" ingrid.keuperdalton@city.mississauga.on.ca
Question: The Friends of the Mississauga Public Library want to establish 2 scholarships ( MLS and Technician) for library staff. Is there a Friends group who has such a thing? and to whom I might be directed. Thanks
Reply #1
The scholarship question came up at our board meetings last year. We did some research and had discussion on the matter. We were looking primarily at a scholarship for a student entering university or a college and taking a
Library program, but also discussed Library Staff and further study.
While we all liked the idea of providing a scholarship, we decided it was not within our mandate to do so. We fundraise to provide our libraries (we have five) with enhancements for their programs and services. The whole community benefits, which we feel is as it should be.
We concluded that we did not wish involvement with a scholarship program.
Elinor Moyse, past chair, FOL, Oakville
Reply # 2
Nepean (now part of Ottawa) does not have scholarships but an organisation to which I belong does have bursaries & scholarships with three universities. These were established between 20 & 30 years ago when interest rates were high.
A substantial sum was donated in the organisations name to
the universities - the interest accrued was used each year. All the monies investing, etc. is looked after by the universities who each year inform us of the winners & before hand if they do not have enough money for both or if
they have more & wish to add to the bursary. If this is of interest I might manage to get hold of more information.
Margaret Main, Nepean
PRESIDENT – Jami Van Haaften
Friends of the Sudbury Public Library
1826 Marie Ave., Sudbury, Ont. P3E 2X9.
Telephone: 705-523-3415
E-mail focal@accessola.com
VICE-PRESIDENT –
Monica Olenroot
President, Friends of the Ajax Public Library
olenrootm@aol.co
TREASURER – Val Marshall
Ajax Friends of the Library
amarshall1061@rogers.com
SECRETARY –
Dorothy Macnaughton
President, Friends of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library
rmacnaug@sympatico.ca
PAST-PRESIDENT – Val Marshall
DIRECTORS
BRITISH COLUMBIA –
Jocelyn MacNeil
Friends of the Vancouver Public Library
macniel@dowco.com
PRAIRIES/TERRITORIES - Nicholas Spillios
Friends of the Edmonton Public Library
E-mail: nikos@telusplanet.net
CENTRAL CANADA - vacant
ATLANTIC CANADA - vacant
Canadian Library Trustees Association
Michael Weidlich, E-mail: weidlich@telusplanet.net
Canadian Association of Public Libraries - Vacant
Canadian Library Association
Michael Colborne
E-mail: COLBORMB@gov.ns.ca
Consultant - Terry Sarazen
E-mail: tsarazen@sols.org
