Friends of Brooklyn Public Library Friends of BPL Handbook // 1 Friends of Brooklyn Public Library Table of Contents WE’RE SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE! Letters of Welcome .........................................................................................................4 About Brooklyn Public Library .....................................................................................6 Location of Friends Groups ..........................................................................................7 Looking Back at Friends ................................................................................................8 LET’S GET STARTED Getting Started ............................................................................................................... 12 The Rules ......................................................................................................................... 14 The Library’s Role .......................................................................................................... 16 Setting Goals ....................................................................................................................17 Structuring Your Friends Group ................................................................................ 18 Hosting Productive Meetings ...................................................................................20 Growing Your Core Group .........................................................................................22 WHAT TO DO & HOW TO DO IT Increasing Community Awareness & Marketing ................................................26 Advocating for Your Library .......................................................................................30 Advocacy: City Budget Timeline ............................................................................. 34 Fundraising .....................................................................................................................36 Purchasing Wish List Items ........................................................................................42 Copyright © 2018 by Brooklyn Public Library Innovative Friends Events .......................................................................................... 44 All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced Annual Events Timeline ..............................................................................................49 or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. EXAMPLES & SAMPLES ISBN: 978-1720807315 Example Prices ..............................................................................................................52 Example Agendas ........................................................................................................53 Brooklyn Public Library Example Minutes & Notes .........................................................................................54 10 Grand Army Plaza Bake Sale Supply Checklist ......................................................................................55 Brooklyn, NY 11238 bklynlibrary.org Friends of BPL Handbook // 1 We’re We’re You’re Here! You’re 2 // Friends of BPL Handbook Friends of BPL Handbook // 3 Letters of Welcome Brooklyn Public Library is as creative and energized as the city we serve. Twenty-five years ago, a neighbor invited me to the first meeting of a new Every branch library—in every neighborhood throughout the borough— group to support our local library. As a parent and teacher, the library was enables patrons of all ages to access our collection of millions of books my personal and professional lifesaver, and I wanted to give back to the and participate in a staggering array of programs. The neighborhood place that had helped me in so many ways. library is where our communities come together: to sing along at a multi- lingual story time, prepare for a citizenship exam, learn how to launch a Since that first meeting in 1993, I am so proud of what the Friends business or write a memoir, and much, much more. of Brooklyn Heights Library have accomplished. Our Friends group sponsored programs that wouldn’t exist without our support, advocated Friends Groups are integral to sustaining this creativity and energy. Your and received substantial government funding, and successfully longstanding support and advocacy ensures neighborhood libraries have fundraised over $200,000—all on behalf of the neighborhood library essential funds to purchase program supplies and care for well-tread we love. spaces. Above all, you help educate your community about BPL, so that more people can benefit from our diverse resources and services. From one Friend of the Library to another, I wish you luck as you embark on your journey to support your local library. You’ll meet amazing people Thank you for spreading the word with every flier, book sale, concert who truly care about their neighborhood, learn the ins and outs of NYC’s and postcard. And in so doing, thank you for ensuring the public library library world and you’ll learn a lot about bake and book sales. Most remains one of the most vital, versatile and democratic institutions in our importantly, you’ll get to directly see the impact you and your fellow borough and our country. Friends make on your library. Libraries are the hallmark of our democratic society. Please know that by becoming an official Friend of the Library, you are making a lasting, Linda E. Johnson positive difference for your community. President & CEO, Brooklyn Public Library Deborah Hallen President, Friends of Brooklyn Heights Library 4 // Friends of BPL Handbook Friends of BPL Handbook // 5 About Brooklyn Public Library As an independent system separate from New York Public Library and Queens Library, Brooklyn Public Library serves the borough’s 2.6 million LOCATION OF FRIENDS GROUPS residents, offering thousands of public programs, millions of books and the use of more than 1,500 free internet-accessible computers. This is just = Established the start of what you can do at one of Brooklyn’s 59 public libraries. Friends Groups = Newly Forming Greenpoint Mission Statement 107 Norman Ave. Friends Groups It is the mission of Brooklyn Public Library to ensure the preservation and Leonard transmission of society’s knowledge, history and culture, and to provide 81 Devoe St. the people of Brooklyn with free and open access to information for Williamsburgh 240 Division Ave. Bushwick 340 Bushwick Ave. education, recreation and reference. DeKalb Walt Whitman 790 Bushwick Ave. Washington Irving 93 Saint Edwards St. 360 Irving Ave. Brooklyn Heights Vision Statement 109 Remsen St. (Interim) Marcy Clinton Hill 617 DeKalb Ave. 380 Washington Ave. Brooklyn Public Library will be a vital center of knowledge for all, Carroll Gardens Saratoga Pacific Macon 8 Thomas S. Boyland St. 396 Clinton St. 25 4th Ave. accessible 24 hours a day, and will be a leader in traditional and Bedford 361 Lewis Ave. Arlington 496 Franklin Ave. 203 Arlington Ave. Red Hook Central Brower Park innovative library services which reflect the diverse and dynamic spirit of 7 Wolcott St. 10 Grand Army Plz. 725 St. Marks Ave. Brownsville the people of Brooklyn. Eastern Parkway 61 Glenmore Ave. Cypress Hills 1044 Eastern Pkwy. 1197 Sutter Ave. Park Slope 431 6th Ave. Stone Avenue New Lots Crown Heights 665 New Lots Ave. Friends Program Statement 560 New York Ave. 581 Mother Gaston Blvd. Spring Creek The Friends of Brooklyn Public Library are organized volunteer Sunset Park Flatbush East Flatbush 9612 Church Ave. 12143 Flatlands Ave. groups committed to supporting and supplementing needed library 4201 4th Ave. (Interim) 22 Linden Blvd. Windsor Terrace Rugby 160 E. 5th St. 1000 Utica Ave. resources. Friends advocate for the importance of library services in our Canarsie Cortelyou 1580 Rockaway Pkwy. 1305 Cortelyou Rd. communities, increase community awareness about BPL’s programs and Bay Ridge Borough Park Clarendon Paerdegat 7223 Ridge Blvd. 1265 43rd St. 2035 Nostrand Ave. 850 E. 59th St. raise funds to achieve library goals. Kensington Jamaica Bay McKinley Park 4207 18th Ave. 9727 Seaview Ave. 6802 Fort Hamilton Pkwy. Midwood Mapleton 975 E. 16th St. Mill Basin 1702 60th St. 2385 Ralph Ave. Dyker 8202 13th Ave. Flatlands Ryder 2065 Flatbush Ave. Fort Hamilton 5902 23rd Ave. 9424 4th Ave. New Utrecht 1743 86th St. Kings Highway Highlawn 2115 Ocean Ave. 1664 W. 13th St. Kings Bay Ulmer Park Homecrest 3650 Nostrand Ave. 2602 Bath Ave. 2525 Coney Island Ave. Gravesend Gerritsen Beach 303 Ave. X 2808 Gerritsen Ave. Sheepshead Bay 2636 E. 14th Rd. Brighton Beach Coney Island 16 Brighton First Rd. 1901 Mermaid Ave. 6 // Friends of BPL Handbook Friends of BPL Handbook // 7 Looking Back at Friends The history of the Friends of Brooklyn Public Library began in May 1937, the Friends held a rally and all-night “read-in.” Friends conducted when a group of cultural and social leaders decided to work together active letter-writing campaigns and met with elected officials to urge to help BPL with fundraising and book collection. Among them was Mrs. restoration of adequate funding. Harriet T. Righter, who would guide the group until the dissolution of the Friends in 1962. The group had an initial membership of 225, with the By 1983 there were 19 Friends Groups across the borough. Today, there goal of expanding that membership across every branch in Brooklyn. are 30 active and forming