Resources for Library Friends Groups

RESOURCES FOR FRIENDS GROUPSDr. Curtis R. Rogers, Communications Director

• intro and welcome• membership

recruitment• active involvement• marketing/promoting

events• social media• networking &

fundraising

TALKING POINTS

1. Revitalizing your friends group– Why was the group initially

established? – What have been the “golden”

years of your organization when membership and activity was high?

– Who are the potential members today?

– How can the Friends be more responsive to the changing characteristics of potential members?

MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT

COMPONENTS OF MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN

• Brochure components – ask for help!– Programs – Book sale – Membership – Marketing and

Promotion of Library

– Library Volunteer – Etc.

• develop a marketing and membership promotion campaign

• update brochure• point to social media

outlet(s)• run campaign in print

and electronically via email marketing/social media

It never hurts to ask!Make sure your promotionalitems ask new and current membersfor help…

Advertise membership benefits

• When was the last time you raised the membership rate for new and current members?

• The most effective way to get members on board is to promote, promote, promote.

• Be sure you let your prospective members know what they will get for their membership.

YOU CAN DO MORE WITH MORE $$$$$

• What unique discounts can you offer?

• Do you need a new logo?

• What do your promotional items look like?

• Have you tried using Canva.com?

Take 3-4 minutes and answer these questions:1.How do

you currently publicize events?

2.What events do you publicize?

3.How should you publicize events?

HOW DO YOU USE SOCIAL MEDIA?What else do you need to be doing with social media???

NETWORKING & FUNDRAISING• Business cards for friends

board members• Local author talks• Book sales• Poetry reading at a different

venue• Partnering with other

organizations

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR FRIENDS GROUPS

• United for Libraries– http://www.ala.org/united/

• Friends & Foundations Fact Sheets– http://

www.ala.org/united/friends/factsheets

• Friends of SC Libraries– http://www.foscl.org/

THANK YOU!Please feel free to contact me:Dr. Curtis R. Rogers, Communications [email protected]