JOIN FOGL TODAY!!

Do you or your company need an end of the year tax deduction?  Do you love libraries and want to help Friends groups?  

JOIN FOGL TO HELP FRIENDS SUPPORT GEORGIA LIBRARIES!

You can join at the website http://georgia-friends.org/, or by completing the form below and mailing it with your payment to FOGL Treasurer:    

                                             Friends of Georgia Libraries

c/o Keith Schuermann

Director, Troup-Harris Regional Library

115 Alford Street, LaGrange, GA 30240-3041

Yes, I want to join/renew membership in Friends of Georgia Libraries!

Name_____________________________________________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________________________________

City___________________________________ State___________ Zip ____

Easiest phone # to contact ______________________________________________________________

E-Mail ____________________________________________________________________________

Categories of Membership:

Individual ($10) $____________

Local Friends Group ($50) $____________ (provided benefits for up to five local Friends members)

Premium Membership ($100) $___________

Silver Membership ($250) $___________

Gold Membership ($500) $ ___________

Platinum Membership ($1000) $___________

Additional Gift $___________

TOTAL $___________

Friends of Georgia Libraries, Inc. keeps all personal information private and does not share members’ phone numbers, addresses, or e-mail addresses with third parties. Friends of Georgia Libraries is a non-profit 501-c-3 organization. Your donations are tax deductible.

GPLS Library Awards Program

Nominations are now being accepted for the GPLS Library Awards program. These awards honor the outstanding service and achievements of Georgia's public libraries, librarians and library champions. 

• Georgia Public Library of the Year will be presented to an individual facility 
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  or library system
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  whose staff best exemplifies the qualities needed to positively impact the lives of residents in the communities it serves.
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    Nominations for library systems that include multiple locations must demonstrate the integration of each facility to the overall impact of the system as a whole. ​

• Georgia Public Librarian of the Year will be presented to a full-time and professionally licensed practicing public librarian whose innovative and creative talents are instrumental in the delivery of outstanding library service to his or her library and the communities it serves, as well as dedication and commitment to the state and profession as a whole. The winner must be employed by a public library for at least 9 months of the award year. 

• Georgia Public Library Champion of the Year will be presented to an outstanding advocate whose support significantly raised the profile of libraries and improved services during the award year. Honorees may include, but are not limited to, elected officials, authors, library board members or members of Friends of Georgia Libraries or local Friends groups who were not employed in any capacity by a library during the award year.

We have a new award this year: 

• Georgia Public Library Lifetime Achievement award may be given each year to a retired Georgia librarian for extraordinary service to Georgia public libraries throughout 
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  his/her
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   career. Special emphasis is placed on the long-lasting impact of their work: nominees must be retired from full-time work for three years before being nominated. Given these special requirements, this award may not be presented each year.   

Please submit your nominations by clicking on the award titles above.  Nominations may be submitted by public library directors, trustees, members of Friends groups, and GPLS staff members. If you need more space or have additional support materials, please submit via email to wcornelisen@georgialibraries.org. Deadline for nominations is October 31, 2016.

The awards selection committee comprises five members of the GPLS team. The selection process will be conducted in November and winners will be notified in December.

Formal award presentations will be scheduled for early 2017 at times and locations based on the preferences of each winner and for ensuring the maximum amount of local publicity for each award.

National Friends of Libraries Awards

The 11th annual National Friends of Libraries Week will be held Oct. 16-22, 2016. Two Friends groups will be awarded $250 each in honor of their celebrations during the week.

With the support of the Lana and Michael Porter Foundation, five Friends Groups were awarded $250 each in honor of their celebrations in 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, two groups were awarded $250 each.

National Friends of Libraries Week Award applicants must provide a one- to two-page summary of all activities and efforts in conjunction with the celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week. Applicants will be judged on creativity and innovation; involvement of Friends, library staff, Trustees, and/or advisory committee; recognition of Friends group, and promotion of Friends group to the community, school, students, and/or faculty. 

United for Libraries has created a variety of resources to help Friends, Trustees, and library staff celebrate in their community.

Applications for the 2016 National Friends of Libraries Week Award must be received by Dec. 2, 2016. Applicants will be notified on or before Dec. 16, 2016. Click the link below for the application.

Application for Awards 

Academic Libraries Friends Groups

10 REASONS WHY

What ultimately justifies the creation of an academic Friends group? Why are Friends important?

 

Here are my 10 reasons why an academic library might want a Friends group.

Friends promote collaboration and cooperation.  Friends’ activities and programs offer opportunities for collaborative planning with faculty, staff, and your surrounding community and local community organizations.

Friends provide opportunities for networking. Act local, think global.

Friends can expand networking opportunities through participation with other local Friends groups and also state and national groups. For example, United for Libraries, the Friends (trustees, advocates and foundations) division of the American Library Association, has excellent opportunities for getting involved in national library activities.

Friends can assist with marketing and promoting your library.  Since the Friends work to support your library’s services, they can adopt the library’s service-oriented message as part of its message.

Friends can offer opportunities for fundraising.  Friends have volunteers with talents and skills that can raise funds for those extra “dollops of library services” that your operating budget might not accommodate.

Friends can lift you up when you are down.  Friends can be what the name implies: a Friend! Friends can share your concerns, help you when times are tough, provide a shoulder to cry on, and ease the burden.

Friends can help you celebrate.  When was the last time you had a “Love Your Library” celebration in your library? Friends can assist with planning receptions, recognition events, and other celebrations. People love a reason to celebrate.

Friends can speak (sometimes loudly) in support of your library.

Sometimes Friends speak quietly, by bringing in notable authors and writers at a Speakers Series which keeps the library as a recognized participant in the academic community.

Friends can maximize professional development and involvement.

Friends can help support library staff attendance at conferences and workshops and give recognition to outstanding achievement through the placement of honor books in the library.

Friends can provide a sense of pride and accomplishment.

If you want your library to be a center of activity and a showcase of exemplary learning, the Friends can sometimes assist with special programs (e.g., Gaming Night at the Library).

The Friends’ mission is strongly aligned with the academic library’s mission.  The Friends volunteer their time in support of the library service mission and in support of the university’s values and vision.

A tool kit is available for more information from United for Libraries Academic Library friends

© United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations.

This toolkit has been developed as a benefit for personal and group members.

Guide for Library Advocates

 

 

 

 Love your library?  Not sure where to start when being a great library advocate?  The guide at the link below is a very valuable resource for library advocates. This free guide is a "step-by-step guide to developing an advocacy campaign. As you go through the Power Guide, come back to this page to see examples of talking points, flyers, petitions, and more."

 

United for Libraries Power Guide for Advocates 

 

 

 

 

 

© United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, A advocates, Friends and Foundations. This guide is made available free through a generous grant

from the Neal-Schuman Foundation. This guide may be reproduced in part or in its entirety with credit to United for Libraries so long as it is distributed freely.

United for Libraries

Web site:www.ala.org/united

E-mail: united@ala.org

MONEY!!!!

Every year, FOGL offers the following awards, designed to support your friends groups activities, and to help fund your author appearances:

• FOGL AUTHOR APPEARANCE GRANT.  This $500 grant is in support of author appearances/events sponsored by local friends groups that are current FOGL members.  Proposals must be received by February 28, 2017.
• FOGL's 2017 "BEST FRIEND" AWARD.  We seek to recognize those who strengthen Georgia's libraries through their advocacy efforts.  To this end, the "Best Friend" award is presented to an exemplary library advocate at our annual membership meeting.  Deadline for nominations is December 31, 2016.
• FOGL's 2017 "FABULOUS FRIENDS" AWARD.  Similar in nature to the above, these outstanding nominees will have made a significant contribution to statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of Georgia's libraries, or will have substantially contributed to the development of their local library or libraries.  Deadline for nominations is also December 31, 2016.

We are in need of applications for the above three awards. So please, when you're able, take a moment to review these opportunities and their applications at http://georgia-friends.org/.  While you're at our site, consider becoming a member!  It's hands down the least expensive professional organization out there to be involved with, for both individuals and group members.

Our mission is to support and develop your friends groups, and to build a grassroots network of local advocates who believe in the importance and power of our public libraries.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

 We are kicking off the ninth annual Fayette on the Page: One Book, One Community program on Thursday, September 8 from 5-7 PM with a free outdoor event at the library gazebo. This year’s book is “True Grit” by Charles Portis. In keeping with that story of the Old West, the kickoff party will feature the bluesy, countrified music of Bud & Hank, and free hot dogs from the grill. Book-related programming continues at the library throughout September and October.

Spark Series on Advocacy Episode One

     This is part of the advocacy series that we’ve been collaborating on with the Harry Potter Alliance, to help young and new advocates to take their first steps toward becoming advocates. The video went live at National Library Legislative Day and the response thus far has been positive.

     This would be great to show to your Teen Advisory Boards or any adult that needs a refresher.  More will be added as they are released.


"Host Jackson Bird tackles the age old question – “So, just what does Congress do, anyway?” as part of the first in an eight-part video series. Over the next few weeks, we’ll talk about why advocacy is important, and how you can get started on a campaign of your own."
 

 CLICK THIS LINK TO WATCH THE VIDEO
What is Congress?


Resources:
http://whoismyrepresentative.com/
http://www.votesmart.org
http://www.house.gov/representatives/
http://www.senate.gov/senators/
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

Follow the American Library Association and the Harry Potter Alliance:
http://twitter.com/ALALibrary
http://americanlibraryassoc.tumblr.com
ALA Washington Office Tumblr: http://libraryadvocates.tumblr.com

http://twitter.com/thehpalliance
http://thehpalliance.tumblr.com
http://facebook.com/thehpalliance
http://instagram.com/thehpalliance
Snapchat: thehpalliance

ALA Washington announces 2016 WHCLIST winner

Posted by: Lisa Lindle April 7, 2016 in Advocacy Spotlight, Grants, Library Advocacy, Washington Office News

 

This week, the American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office announced that Dan A. Aldridge of Winterville, GA is the winner of the 2016 White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIST) Award. Given to a non-librarian participant attending National Library Legislative Day, the award covers hotel fees and includes $300 stipend to defray the cost of attending the event.

WHCLIST 2016 Winner Dan Aldridge

A longtime library advocate and patron, Aldridge served two years as the President of Friends of the Braselton Library (FBL). He was elected to the board of Friends of Georgia Library, where he currently serves as Vice President and will assume the role of President in April 2016. In his own words, Aldridge plans to:

“…dedicate the next two years to supporting and advocating for libraries throughout Georgia because I firmly believe, as nineteenth century industrialist Andrew Carnegie said, “A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people.”

As a result of his hard work and dedication, FBL saw notably growth in their membership and even earned them an annual award – the Fabulous Friends Award – from the Friends of Georgia Libraries. The FBL membership has seen unprecedented growth, and as a result has been able to increase their support of Braselton Library. Their fundraisers have provided the library with new computer equipment, supported eight new children’s programs, and increased the size of the Large Print Book and e-book collections at the library, among other accomplishments.
The White House Conference on Library and Information Services—an effective force for library advocacy nationally, statewide and locally—transferred its assets to the ALA Washington Office in 1991 after the last White House conference. These funds allow ALA to participate in fostering a spirit of committed, passionate library support in a new generation of library advocates. Leading up to National Library Legislative Day each year, the ALA seeks nominations for the award. Representatives of WHCLIST and the ALA Washington office choose the recipient.

The Annual FOGL Meeting and Workshop

The Annual FOGL Meeting and Workshop

 Friday, April 22, 2016

 at the Athens-Clarke County Library

2025 Baxter St., Athens, GA 30606

 

This year’s theme is “Friends Helping Friends.”

Workshop Agenda
 
9:30 -10:30am – Registration, coffee & refreshments, tour of the library
10:30 – 11:00am – Annual Business Meeting, Board Nominations, 2016 FOGL Awards Presentations
11:00 – 11:45am – Panel and discussion “Friends Helping Friends” and “Organizational Support”
12:00 – 1:00 – Lunch with Georgia author, Joshilyn Jackson
1:00 – 2:00pm – Grants and Awards
2:00 – 2:15 – Break
2:15 – 3:15 – Panel: “Love Your Library”
3:15 – 3:30 – A Few Final Thoughts
3:30pm – Adjourn


Please go to our website to register!

Register for Annual Meeting and Workshop HERE!

Library Friends are the Best Kinds of Friends!

Friends of Georgia Libraries (FOGL) is pleased to announce the recipients for the 2016 Awards for FOGL ‘Best Friend’ and for ‘Fabulous Friends’ for the year. 

FOGL’s 2016 ‘Best Friend’ is Dr. Adrienne Butler, M.D. from Pierce County, and was nominated this year by the president of the Friends of the Library, David Rollinson. “Dr. Butler took the initiative to use her own resources to establish a Friends’ group to assist the library in communicating with local officials on its needs, and the development of programs to help library staff in doing their jobs.  She keeps everyone on the same page and in a very gentle way.”

FOGL’s 2016 ‘Fabulous Friends’ are the Friends of the Houston County Public Library.  Director J. Sara Paulk nominated this Friends’ group based on their efforts over the last ten years.  This information was provided to Director Paulk:  “The Houston County Friends of the Library has successfully thrived as a county-wide organization built from several disbanded splinter Friends groups of the various cities in Houston County.  The focus of our group was to operate as a county-wide association to pool resources to enable us to make more money for all three county libraries.”

These awards, along with FOGL’s Author Appearance Grant will be presented at the FOGL Annual Spring Business Meeting and workshop, to be held at the Athens Library on April 22.  Each year, FOGL seeks to recognize those Friends and advocates who strive to strengthen Georgia’s libraries.  Nominees are those who have made significant contribution to either statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of Georgia’s libraries, or have substantially contributed to the development of a library, or libraries, in the state.

FOGL congratulates the 2016 winners!  You can nominate a group or advocate for consideration by submitting the completed nomination forms which can be found on the FOGL website at  www.georgia-friends.org . Submissions for ‘Best Friend’ and ‘Fabulous Friends’ should be received by December 31^st each year.