Western Counties Regional Library Board encourages the establishment of Friends of the Library groups in its constituent communities.
In some communities within the region, support groups for branch libraries already exist, primarily for the purpose of maintaining facilities. These groups may choose either to continue their present role or to expand their mandates to include Friends of the Library activities.
Definition and Structure
A Friends of the Library group is a formally organized volunteer body composed of members of the community who work closely with library staff to support the activities of their branch library. All activities of the Friends of the Library group must be performed in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between Western Counties Regional Library and the Friends of the Library.
Normally, the individual Friends group will decide on its own bylaws and structure.
Possible Roles for Friends of the Library Groups:
- Fundraising in support of library goals, activities and collections.
- Volunteers for the library, in accordance with the library’s Volunteer Policy.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Regional Library Board, Friends of the Library and library staff have important and separate roles to play in the achievement of the library’s goals and objectives.
Western Counties Regional Library Board is the body which has the legal and financial responsibility for governing the library. It sets policies concerning the personnel, finance and service aspects of the library and oversees the operation of these policies. The Board sets the goals for the library and develops plans for achieving those goals. It also plays a central role in advocating for libraries.
The library staff is employed to carry out the directions and policies of the Library Board and to provide the direct service to the public.
Friends of the Library exist to assist and support the library’s goals through activities such as fundraising and volunteering. Activities of the Friends must be in accordance with the goals and policies of the Board, the Memorandum of Understanding between Western Counties Regional Library and the Friends of the Library, and the individual library branch’s owners and support groups.
It is important that the Friends of the Library groups and library staff communicate on a regular basis so that all are informed as to plans and activities. Suggestions from the Friends are encouraged by the Board and the Library Director.