Friend Your Library!

Have you joined Friends of the Library?

Membership Is Easy

Library lovers everywhere are invited and encouraged to join their local Friends of the Library group. These dedicated volunteers advocate for libraries, raise much needed funds, sponsor programs and special events, and host popular used book sales. If you haven’t joined your Friends, why not join today. All it takes is a minimum donation of $10. Yes, just $10! Just click the ‘DONATE’ button and enter your membership donation amount.

Suggested Membership Donations

• Individual $10.00
• Friend $20.00
• Sponsor $50.00
• Sustainer $100.00
• Benefactor $250.00

Friends: a Strong Advocate for Your Community Library

Here in New Smyrna Beach, and across the nation, libraries are strengthening communities and creating centers for sharing. They are the go-to place for work, study and culture.

Today, when you open the doors of your library you find much more than books. You find a community resource center, a digital hub and an art space, as well as a provider of information and services that are relevant to the community.

Through membership dues, books sales and donations, the Friends of the Library help to provide funds that support children’s programs, musical performances, community-building events, author events and free classes as well as capital improvements.

Library Advocacy

Trustees play an integral role in advocacy for their library. The quality of a library’s services ultimately rests with the library’s Board of Trustees and, therefore, it is critically important that they do everything they can to ensure that the library has the resources it needs. Trustees can be powerful advocates for their library. If libraries are to thrive in the 21st century, Trustees must step up and let those who fund them know that communities and even our democracy depend on free and open access to the wide variety of materials and resources an excellent library with excellent funding offers.

Friends groups can make the difference between a budget increase and a budget cut for their libraries. As much money as Friends raise through book sales and other activities, a 1% increase in your library’s budget can add up to tens of thousands of dollars or more depending on the size of your library’s budget. Not only that, but many libraries across the country owe their new additions or new buildings to an effective advocacy campaign waged by the Friends to ensure community support. You can make a long lasting and significant difference for your library through advocacy.

For advocacy resources, visit ALA’s Issues & Advocacy page.