United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations
United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, a division of the American Library Association
https://www.ala.org/united
(800) 545-2433
This division of the American Library Association serves library civic leaders who are library trustees, Friends of the Library, and officers in library Foundations. Parts of United for Libraries’ website are open to the general public and parts are only accessible by password for their personal members.
Under the “Member Center,” benefits for personal memberships are outlined thoroughly. Members receive notices and may register for webinars, monthly Learning Live webinars, tip sheets, toolkits, online discussion forums hosted in ALA Connect, and much more.
Read about upcoming events, conferences, United for Libraries resources and initiatives, and news about Friends groups across the country in their monthly e-newsletter.
From their landing page, scroll to “Resource Quick Links” and then select “Organizational Tools” for free toolkits including “Libraries Need Friends: A Toolkit to Create Friends Groups or to Revitalize the One You Have.” There are also helpful samples of Friends policies like a Memorandum of Understanding.
National Friends of Libraries Week
United for Libraries offers up great ideas for celebrating National Friends of Libraries Week held annually in October. https://www.ala.org/united/events_conferences/folweek
This celebration offers a two-fold opportunity to celebrate Friends every year. Use the time to creatively promote your group in the community, to raise awareness, and to promote membership. This is also an excellent opportunity for your library and Board of Trustees to recognize the Friends for their help and support of the library.
Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF) hosted a webinar with United for Libraries, “Making the Most of National Friends of Libraries Week.” Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgMliMxagzU. Consider having your group’s activities recognized by applying for the National Friends of Libraries Week Awards. https://www.ala.org/united/grants_awards/friends/friendsweek