FOCAL POINT
2005 Spring Vol 8 Issue 1
Gathering of Friends in Calgary
Introducing our new Vice-president
Strategic Plan
Cranbrook – Moving Forward community project
FOCAL on exhibit in Halifax . . .
Annual General Meeting - June 18, 2005
Canada Reads – Friends and Libraries help in the
promotional campaign
Friends’ Forum . . .
A Gathering of Friends – Ajax
Added to the FOCAL Market
Gathering of Friends in Calgary
Date: June 18, 2005
Time: 10.00 a.m. to
2.00.p.m.
Location: Calgary Public Library
Agenda:
"Bring & Brag"
Exhibit
– show and tell us about your fund raising ideas & "fun" programmes.
What challenges do you have?
– group discussion
Lunch
Annual General Meeting from 1 – 2 p.m.
Members interested in joining the Annual General Meeting by our free teleconference connection should contact FOCAL for instructions. (focal@friendsoflibraries.ca)
Introducing our new Vice-president
W. Glen White, resident of River John. Nova Scotia currently serves as Chair of The River John C@P; Vice Chair of Friends of the River John Library; Chair of River John's Strategic Action Group; Director of Pictou County Health Board; Chair of The River John Broadband Committee.
Glen will travel to Calgary for our Gathering of Friends and Annual General Meeting to meet with members able to join us in person or by teleconference.
As part of our strategic planning process there are many opportunities to volunteer – newsletter committee- listserv moderator – FOLUSA listserv member – website maintenance. Please look for ways you can volunteer to make a special contribution to the work of our committees, Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
We are looking for your input!
A copy of the Action Plan was sent to
members with this
Spring 2005 newsletter.
Please take a few minutes to review the summary of our strategic planning process to date, and let us know your thoughts.
www.friendsoflibraries.ca/reg-planning.htm
GOAL: CommunicationS: Using a variety of communication methods (print, voice and electronic) maximize the networking and information sharing potential of the FOCAL membership.
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Specific Steps/Tasks needed to achieve the ACTIVITY |
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VOICE
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ELECTRONIC
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GOAL: Partnership: Create a schedule of regional meetings and workshops to bring Friends groups together.
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Specific Steps/Tasks needed to achieve the ACTIVITY |
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GOAL: Leadership: Increase the awareness of the role of Friends of Libraries across Canada
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Specific Steps/Tasks needed to achieve the ACTIVITY |
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Cranbrook – Moving Forward community project
As they say, the Friends of the Cranbrook Public Library are “becoming one of the more active community groups here in Cranbrook”. This might be considered an understatement! The Friends, in support of the Cranbrook Public Library have received a $168,000 grant from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) to be spent between Nov. 2004 and June 2005.
The project is called “Moving forward within our community” A number of aspects of the project include:
Hire 8 employees
Produce newsletter and other publications to inform the public of the involvement of Friends in the community
Friends membership drive – goal 200
New signage for the library
New directional banners
New security system
Collection review/weeding
Design and build Teen Room “The Hub”
Clean and repair books, audiobooks, CDs and videos
Develop series of events for both Friends and the Library
FOCAL on exhibit in Halifax . . .
Vice President Glen White and Regional Director Peggy Hiscock will see that the FOCAL banner is flying at the May conference of the Atlantic Provinces Library Association.
The conference theme is Our Libraries, Our Communities and runs May 25-29, 2005.
Annual General Meeting - June 18, 2005
Our Annual General Meeting will be via teleconferenced from 1 – 2 p.m MDT., so that any interested member across Canada may participate.
1.
Welcome
2.
Approval of Agenda
3.
Minutes of 2004 Annual General Meeting
4.
Business Arising from the Minutes
5.
President’s Report
6.
Treasurer’s Report - Financial statement
7.
Directors’ reports
8.
Constitution and By-law amendments
9.
2005-2006 Executive
10.
Strategic Plan/Action Plan
11.
New Business
Canada Reads – Friends and Libraries help in the promotional campaign
A Seattle Librarian Nancy Pearl, who originated the idea of a promotional campaign “One Book, One Community” was the basis of an idea for Canada’s first one book campaign undertaken on a national scale by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC’s Canada Reads campaign has taken on the form of a literary survivor reality show.
CBC Executive Producer Talin Vartanian reported on the Canada reads program to enthusiastic delegates at the Ontario Library Association Superconference, in a session sponsored by FOCAL. She acknowledged the huge impact Canada Reads has on book sales, and on library circulation.
The criteria for book selection includes that the book must be in print, a work of fiction, written by a Canadian author and in English or available in an English translation.
Spin off activities generate more media attention and publicity for the library, and sometimes raise money for literacy. Staged readings by local celebrities, a “books inspire” art auction, and local “peoples” choice” debates are some examples.
Talin also listed the Chesley Challenge, which declares a winner every year on the FOCAL website, the community which records the highest percentage of readers of the wining book. Talin noted the rural community, Wolsey Saskatchewan, which won the first two years – the campaign works well in a rural area with a small population.
The Canada Reads campaign attempts to reach those who are not readers.
Some public libraries also do one book campaigns. The Toronto Public Library looked at “the book that changed my life”, while Brockville featured a local mystery author. Their campaign included a bus tour and the author visiting local high schools to talk about the process of writing
“Canada Reads for Kids” is a new campaign being proposed, possibly for a fall 2005 launch. A literacy program for teens could involve a partnership with high schools. Talin solicted feedback on this idea from among delegates listening intently to her ideas, and has offered to speak about this campaign at the OLA Superconference in 2006.
A university survey revealed teens read less than one hour a week for pleasure. The Canada Reads for Kids could feature a dialogue between kids, teachers and librarians.
Next issue:
This question came into the FOCAL mailbox: Does FOCAL have any conflict of interest guidelines for Friends' Boards?
Friends of Orillia Public Library members Lynda and Jim Harris attended the OLA conference. The Save-a-tapes program continues, which receipts from A&P, Zehr’s and IGA generating revenue.
The Orillia Friends newsletter now includes a regular insert, where members are invited to submit poetry. The insert, a single sheet, double sided included three clever contributions as well as some simple line art.
The Fall newsletter of the Orillia Public Library reported news of the Friends. President Evelyn Johnstone and OPL Volunteer Coordinator Jayne Turvey manned the Orillia Public Library booth at a community “Give Back, Feel Good Volunteer Fair in September. The same newsletter reported the Friends’ donation of $7,929 for special additions to the collection.
Andree Delagrave, Assistant Deputy Minister Transformation, Library and Archives Canada presented to The Friends of the Library and Archives of Canada Board of Directors in December 2004. Their presentation, entitled “Transformation Journey”, provided a summary of what they have accomplished so far and outlined their future intentions. The Friends were praised for their enthusiasm and support during this long Transformation journey.
As part of the transformation of the former Public Archives of Canada and National Library of Canada, the former Friends groups of each institution unanimously agreed to create a new organization, Friends of the Library and Archives of Canada.
Visit their website at: <www.collectionscanada.ca/friends/index-e.html>
The Friends of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library reported proceeds of $707 from their Children's Book Sale in the winter of 2004. Held at a local community centre, the booksale coincided with a swim meet and hockey tournament taking place at the facility.
Two Children’s book sales held since then, Nov. 2004 and Feb. 2005 recorded sales of over $690, reports Treasurer Richard Macnaughton.
The Sault’s bookstore coordinator Sandra Downs was given special thanks for her tireless support. The store is being reorganized and all categories of books are being labelled. A new addition of a children's area in the front room, so the parents can browse while the little ones are occupied, has proven to be a popular idea.
A raffle of a painting donated by artist Florence Lennox raised $1,320 for the Friends of the Belleville Public Library. The raffle was won by Belleville Mayor Mary-Anne Sills. Their newsletter noted the real winner of the raffle was the library, as the beautiful water-colour was donated to the library by the Mayor during her New Year’s levee at City Hall.
The Friends table at the Belleville library’s recent Craft Show featured the sale of a gorgeous library quilt. The project raised $5,000 and the December newsletter gave Donna Chambers credit for the idea and the quilting skill for this successful fundraiser. At a February “Valentines for Friends” tea, Friends with more than five years of service received Honour with Books awards.
“Love your Library” Campaign
Brockville invites supporters to pick up a coin card, fill it with quarters, and return it to the library and receive a charitable receipt.
A membership drive during October at selected libraries added 29 new members for the Friends of the Winnipeg Public Library. The fall library newsletter promoted the sale of “Little Friends Book Bags”, as well as Friends T-shirts with the Friends logo in purple.
The new logo, created by Allan Lorde, conveys the friendly spirit of the group, and offers the simplicity and flexibility necessary for effective use in a variety of formats. The Friends acknowledged the endeavour with an honorarium to Mr. Lorde’s graphic arts class at Red River College.
This new logo was introduced as part of plans to open a gift shop in the new Millennium Library. The Winnipeg Friends received a grant of $8,000 from the Winnipeg Foundation, which will be applied to start-up costs for their Millennium Library gift shop. The Friends received a matching grant form the Winnipeg Public Library Board. In addition to a grant in 2003 for $5,000 from the Library Board, the Friends expressed appreciation for the Library Board’s generosity and community spirit.
See logo on page 4 of the library newsletter:
http://wpl.winnipeg.ca/library/pdfs/@thelibrary5.5.pdf
The Library Store called book’ mark, run by the Friends of the Vancouver Public Library, marked ten years of successful fundraising. Popular merchandise includes writing sets, boxes of stationery, cards, soaps, journals and notebooks. Calendars, diaries, booklights and product bearing the library logo are also sold, and Friends enjoy member discounts in the store.
The Friends announced a new website – www.friendsofthevpl.ca. It can be used by those exploring volunteer opportunities, sending an e-mail to the newsletter editor as well as suggesting opportunities to potential new members.
The Friends of the Ajax Public Library had a booth at the Ajax Family Festival. Friends were selling tickets for a raffle during this event. During the fall The Friends collected oral history as part of the town’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Their Fall newsletter reported the Friends planned to attend the Town Council meeting to present a cheque for $100,000 towards the Million-Dollar campaign. The newsletter also promoted sales of tickets for a performance by Mary Lou Fallis at a local community theatre, as well as season’s tickets for the Ajax Film Circuit
New Friends . . .
Based on attendees at our sessions at the Ontario Library Association Superconference, a new Friends group is underway in North Perth Public Library. Library branches in Listowel, Atwood and Monkton will benefit from their efforts in promotion and support. If all goes well a new Friends group might also form in Cochrane as well!
A GATHERING OF FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARIES
2ND ANNUAL
AGENDA
Date: Saturday, 24th September, 2005 Hosted by FRIENDS OF THE AJAX PUBLIC LIBRARY
Place:
Ajax Public Library
Main Branch – Rotary Room
55 Harwood Ave. South,
Ajax, Ont.
Phone (905) 683-4000
Time: 10.00 a.m. to 2.00.p.m.
10.00.a.m. Registration
10.30.a.m. “Bring & Brag”
Show and tell us about your fund raising ideas & “fun” programmes.
12 noon Lunch
12.30.p.m. What challenges do you have?
2.00.p.m. Tour of the library facilities.
Cost: $5.00 per person – includes lunch – Coffee/tea/juice/water
Added to the FOCAL Market
www.friendsoflibraries.ca/market.html
1680 Hwy 1 North
Fairfield, IA 52556
Phone: 1-800-864-4941
Fax: 1-888-729-9058
http://www.booksarefunltd.com/whatwedo.aspx
JanWay Company provides the library market in the US and Canada with fundraising and promotional items. An extensive website (www.janway.com) has product and pricing information for more than 500 products. Use the website as a resource for libraries and Friends who are looking for ways to promote their library or find products that are appropriate for library fund raising.
Please help us to keep the
FOCAL Market listings current and comprehensive – let us know if you
are selling or fundraising with a
particular product line.
“The Roadshow” from Revenue Canada
Have your heard of “The Roadshow” offered by Canada Customs and Revenue Agency? These free information sessions are offering to assist registered charities to comply with the Income Tax Act.
Sessions are to be held in June, and from September to December, 2005.
See http://www.cra.gc.ca/tax/charities/roadshow