Will You be a Friend?
Friends are people just like you. They recognize the value that a strong public library provides a community and they support its programs and services. As a Friend, you are in the unique position to make a difference. By sharing your time and talents, you help the Clermont County Public Library do more and offer more.
Through membership in a family-based Friends of the Library, parents have the chance to share with their children the importance of volunteerism and the library.
What Friends Do
Friends are both advocates and fund raisers. As advocates, Friends spread the word about the Library to the community. They support the library's point of view on issues such as funding, levy campaigns, library policies, and programs and help interpret these views to others.
In the role of fundraiser, Friends look for ways to secure additional money to support the work of the Library, enhancing library programs and services. Past fund raising activities have included book sales, bake sales, and raffles.
But being a Friend is more. It's also about connecting. A Friends group offers you a way to meet new people and learn about your community.
How It Works
On the local level, each of the 10 branch libraries has its own Friends group that supports that branch. These groups decide how often they will meet, what events they will host, what fundraising they will do, and working with the branch staff and the approval of the library directors and trustees, determine how the money will be used.
At a county level, representatives from these local groups form a central Friends of the Clermont County Public Library organization. This council provides continuity and a sense of singular purpose for the individual units. It meets quarterly and is responsible for organizing Friends recognition activities and facilitating the exchange of ideas and experiences.
At the national level, the Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA) mission is to motivate and support state and local library support groups across the country in their efforts to preserve and strengthen libraries, and to create awareness and appreciation of library services by:
- Assisting in developing Friends groups in order to generate local and state support.
- Providing guidance, education, and counsel on issues and concerns relevant to Friends, Trustees, Foundations and Libraries.
- Promoting the development of strong and effective library advocacy programs.
- Serving as a clearinghouse of information and expertise.
- Establishing locations of historical literary significance around the country as Literary Landmarks.
- Promoting reading and literacy through our national Books for Babies program.
Time Commitment
As in most organizations, how much time you spend varies. It is driven by activities in progress, time of the year, and an individual's or family's availability. Friends can give as much time or as little time as they are able.
Here's What You Get
- Advance notice of special Friends events
- Bimonthly Library Activities calendar
- Annual Report
- Knowledge that you are supporting an essential and beloved community resource
Where Does the Money Raised Go?
- Chairs
- Window Blinds
- Plants
- Books
- Program refreshments
- Door prizes
- Sponsored program presenters
- And much more
Do It Today
Download an application and join the Friends of the Clermont County Public Library.