Friends of the Library

Friends of the Library
Name	Friends of the Library
Formation	20th century
Type	Nonprofit volunteer association
Purpose	Support libraries, promote literacy, raise funds
Headquarters	Varies (local, regional, national)
Region served	Worldwide
Membership	Volunteers, donors, patrons

Friends of the Library

Friends of the Library refers to volunteer organizations that support public, academic, school, and special libraries through fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement. Originating in the 20th century alongside library expansion in cities like Boston, Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles, these groups frequently partner with institutions such as the Library of Congress, British Library, Bibliothèque nationale de France, and the Royal Library of Denmark. Their activities intersect with cultural institutions like the Smithsonian Institution, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Vatican Library, National Archives, and universities including Harvard University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and University of Tokyo.

History

Voluntary support groups emerged around the same era as notable civic movements in London, Paris, Berlin, and Vienna, paralleling initiatives tied to figures like Andrew Carnegie, Melvil Dewey, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and institutions such as the Carnegie Corporation, Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Ford Foundation. Early modern examples connect to library-building campaigns in cities like Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, and Melbourne and to national programs under ministries such as the British Council, France Ministère de la Culture, Bundesarchiv, and the National Library of China. During periods of social reform associated with movements like the Progressive Era, Suffragette movement, Civil Rights Movement, and postwar reconstruction after World War II, community groups allied with libraries played roles similar to auxiliaries supporting institutions including the Red Cross, UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and cultural projects like Expo 67.

Purpose and Activities

Friends groups typically advance missions tied to literacy, collections, and programming, collaborating with bodies such as the American Library Association, Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, Association of Research Libraries, and national library systems like the National Library of Australia and Biblioteca Nacional de España. Typical activities mirror those of cultural partners like the Guggenheim Museum, Tate Modern, Royal Opera House, and civic festivals such as Hay Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Programs often include book sales comparable to initiatives at the Metropolitan Public Library, outreach resembling projects by the British Council, and educational partnerships with schools in cities like Seattle, Houston, Montreal, and Auckland.

Organization and Governance

Governance models align with nonprofit frameworks used by entities like Amnesty International, Oxfam, Habitat for Humanity, and national NGOs operating under rules similar to statutes in United Kingdom Companies House, United States Internal Revenue Service, Canadian Revenue Agency, and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Leadership roles include boards resembling those of the National Trust, Historic England, Trustees of Columbia University, and advisory councils like those at the Royal Society. Administrative practices may reflect policy guidance from bodies such as Grantmakers in the Arts, Independent Sector, and philanthropic advisors associated with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Funding and Fundraising

Fundraising strategies echo techniques used by cultural and nonprofit fundraisers for institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Royal Opera House, Tate Gallery, and the National Gallery of Art. Revenue sources commonly include book sales similar to those at the Strand Bookstore and charity models used by organizations like Goodwill Industries, Oxfam, and Habitat for Humanity, as well as grant applications to funders including the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Humanities. Special events mirror benefits run by the Museum of Modern Art, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and fundraising partnerships with corporations such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon (company), and Apple Inc..

Membership and Volunteer Roles

Volunteer roles resemble those coordinated by large civic charities and cultural institutions including the British Red Cross, Smithsonian Institution, Metropolitan Opera, and university alumni associations at places such as Yale University, Princeton University, Stanford University, and Columbia University. Members often perform tasks similar to volunteers at events like the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, and community initiatives run by groups like Rotary International, Lions Clubs International, and the Kiwanis Club.

Impact and Advocacy

Friends groups engage in local and national advocacy comparable to campaigns run by Save the Children, Human Rights Watch, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and heritage organizations such as English Heritage and Historic Scotland. They influence policy conversations with legislators in parliaments such as the United States Congress, UK Parliament, Bundestag, and European Parliament and collaborate with professional associations like the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and the American Library Association on issues like funding for public institutions, intellectual property debates exemplified by cases involving Authors Guild, and digital access initiatives similar to projects by Internet Archive and Project Gutenberg.

Notable Friends of the Library Groups

Prominent local and regional groups have supported major libraries and archives, working alongside institutions like the New York Public Library, Boston Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library, San Francisco Public Library, Seattle Public Library, Detroit Public Library, Vancouver Public Library, Toronto Public Library, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Bodleian Library, Trinity College Library, National Library of Scotland, National Library of Wales, Royal Library of Belgium, National Diet Library, National Library of China, National Library of Brazil, Biblioteca Nacional de México, National Library of Spain, Austrian National Library, Royal Library of the Netherlands, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, State Library of New South Wales, National Library of Australia, National Library of New Zealand, National Library of Israel, Israel National Library, Vatican Library, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Princeton University Library, Harvard University Library, Yale University Library, Cambridge University Library, Bodleian Libraries, Columbia University Libraries, Cornell University Library, University of Chicago Library, Johns Hopkins University Libraries, University of Toronto Libraries, McGill University Library, Queen's University Library, National and University Library in Zagreb, Royal Danish Library, Danish Royal Library, Finnish National Library, National Library of Finland, Iceland National Library, National Library of Norway, National Library of Sweden, Kungliga biblioteket.

Category:Library associations