Building Relationships… Making Connections.

1. Building Relationships… Making Connections. Dr. Charles Hanson, DirectorKettering University Library “Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.” – Walter Cronkite, Broadcaster

2. Define the mission:What do you want (expect) from your Friends? • Advocate • Social Planner • Fundraiser • Volunteers • Public Relations

3. Why does the library need Friends? • To continuously improve the Library and Archives. • To promote connections with administration, faculty, staff, and students. • To advance technologically. • To preserve historical resources of industry, business, and GMI/Kettering University history. “My guess is (it will be) about 300 years until computers are as good as, say, your local reference library in search.” – Craig Silverstein, Director of Technology, Google.com

4. What does FOLA do? • Host speaker series, gaming nights, and special events for the Kettering University community and FOLA members. • Host receptions to show appreciation for Kettering students, faculty, and staff. • Organize the annual Book Sale and Silent Auction and member appreciation event.

5. What does FOLA do? • Promote activities to highlight the services of the Library and Archives (e.g., Chevrolet 100th Celebration, July 17-23, 2011). • Raise money to support the Library and Archives. “The library has gone from being a core value to a cost center, and the university has sent us the bill.” – Mary Ellen Davis, Executive Director, ACRL

6. FOLA Benefits • FOLA members are permitted to check out materials from the library. • Members may receive discounts on FOLA events and programs. • Friends receive a tax deductible receipt with their thank you letter.

7. FOLA Benefits • Friends are invited to “members only” events (Sodexo Food Services). • Friends can serve on committees or participate in sponsored activities (e.g., FOLA Fundraising Action Committee). “I do almost all of my writing in libraries. I’d be lost without them.” Jessica Francis Kane, Author

8. “Academic libraries must consider the perspectives of senior academic leaders and other stakeholders at their parent institutions, rather than limiting their perspective to their own library-centric point of view” – Megan Oakleaf, author of The Value of Academic Libraries

9. Connections • Development Office • Office of Student Life • Sodexo • Provost Office • Flint Community • Director of Greek Life

10. What has FOLA supported? • Gaming Night • Receptions • Technology (Digital camera, Kindle, iPad2) • Spinner Racks • Paint the Pillar Contest • Library Café • Memberships in ALTAFF, FOML • Marketing the library • Fundraising (Book sale & Silent Auction, Flint Home Tour) • Float in the Flint Christmas Parade • DVD (GMI/Kettering University History)

11. FOLA Structure • Bylaws • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) • Strategic Plan • Committees

12. FOLA Board • Meets quarterly • Composed of faculty, alumni, staff, and students • Two committees • Finance & Fundraising • Public Relations & Marketing • Task Forces • FOLA Speaker Series, etc

13. “The first time I walked into a library, I got so excited I almost wet my pants.” – Roy Blount Jr., author

14. The Ten Commandmentsof a Successful Friends Group The library director must be in favor of a friends group. The library staff must be willing to work with Friends. All parties involved must realize that a time commitment is involved and that a successful group is no accident. The library must agree on which of its resources will be used by the Friends. A committed core group must exist. From the Friends of the Marple Public Library, Broomall, PA

15. The Ten Commandmentsof a Successful Friends Group The authority to which the library director reports must recognize the Friends group. Communication must be open to the full library community. All those involved in the Friends must realize that the Friends group does not make library policy. The library must decide, in discussion with the Friends, the roles it wishes the group to play. Money raised by the Friends should be distributed in collaboration with library administration and in keeping with the library director’s “Wish List.” (C. Hanson revision) From the Friends of the Marple Public Library, Broomall, PA

16. “Libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy, and community… Libraries can never be shushed.” – Paula Poundstone, Author

17. 10 Reasons Why an Academic LibraryMight Want a Friends Group Friends promote collaboration and cooperation. Friends provide opportunities for networking. Friends can assist with marketing and promoting your library. Friends can offer opportunities for fundraising. Friends can lift you up when you are down.

18. 10 Reasons Why an Academic LibraryMight Want a Friends Group Friends can help you celebrate. Friends can speak (sometimes loudly) in support of your library. Friends can maximize professional development and involvement. Friends can provide a sense of pride and accomplishment. The Friends mission is strongly aligned with the academic library’s mission.

19. kettering.edu/library/fola.jsp Friends on Campus Articles: ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/altaff/friendszone/friendsoncampus/index.cfm “Every sentence of every paragraph I write has its roots in a library. In the archives I plunder for primary material, in the ancient newspapers and journals I devour for background, in the reference librarians who find resources and solve conundrums and point me down new and unimagined paths of research. God bless them one and all.” – Daniel Okrent, Author