This document discusses the history and changing nature of Friends groups that support libraries. It notes that while Friends groups were traditionally led by older volunteers, newer volunteers tend to be younger and prefer discrete, short-term tasks. However, many Friends groups still rely on aging leadership structures. The document warns about signs that a Friends group has become rogue, such as withholding funds or opposing library policies. It provides suggestions for libraries to maintain positive relationships with Friends groups through communication, respect, and establishing clear guidelines.

1. P R E S E N T E D B Y S A L L Y G A R D N E R R E E D
E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R
U N I T E D F O R L I B R A R I E S
With Friends Like These!

2. A Short History of Friends Groups
 Carnegie Era
• Women’s Groups
• Fundraising
• Advocacy
 Mid-20th Century
• Advocacy
• Fundraising
• Programs

3. Changing Nature of Today’s Volunteers
 New average age of today’s volunteers
• By age, 35- to 44-year-olds and 45- to 54-year-olds were the
most likely to volunteer (28.9% and 28% respectively).
• Teenagers (16-19) volunteer at 26%.
• 65 Years and above are 24% and declining.

4. What New Volunteers Want
 Discrete Tasks – One and Done
 See Results
 Use Their Skills
 No Meetings

5. What Does New Era Mean for Today’s Friends?
 Old guard largely still in charge.
 Like the committee and regular meeting structure.
 Aging out means many groups headed by same
people or person for years.
 Reluctance to change.

6. Signs Your Friends Group Has Gone Rogue!
 Friends are secretive and unwilling to share their organizational and
financial information with the library.
 Friends don’t invite the library’s administration to their meetings.
 Friends believe that because they raise the money, they should
decide how it is spent.
 Friends are withholding money for which the library has a
legitimate need.
 Friends are opposing library policy and/or direction.
 Friends are giving their money to organizations or initiatives
outside the library.
 Friends have become “clubish” and follow their own agenda vs. that
of their mission.
 Friends’ officers don’t turn over, and they begin to think of the
money raised as their own.

7. When Friends Go Rogue! #1
 Misunderstanding about Roles
• Friends don’t make purchasing decisions.
• Friends don’t make or dispute library policy.
• Friends hold community donations in trust for the library: it’s
not THEIR money.

8. When Friends Go Rogue! #2
 Friends Spending on Other Organizations
• Should only happen when library concurs (literacy initiatives,
for example).
• Breach of trust with donors who think their money will
support the library!

9. When Friends Go Rogue! #3
 Saving “Their” Money for a Rainy Day
• It’s pouring outside!
• Donors want their donations spent on the library, not keeping
a checking account richly padded.
• “Need” is a strong motivator for fundraising.

10. When Friends Go Rogue! #4
 One or More Friends Leaders Doesn’t like the
Director or has other Personal Beef
• If the Friends can’t/don’t want to support the library including
the director, it’s time for these folks to move on – they’re no
longer Friends.
• No one member of the Friends board has more authority than
any other board member.

11. When Nothing Else Seems to Work
 With Friends Like These
• Potentially hurt library’s reputation.
• Keeping a high functioning group from being established
because they hold the name “Friends.”
• Loss of funding for library programs and services.

12. Keeping Friends Close!
 Great Communication
• It’s a two way street.
• Attend meetings and invite a Friends’ liaison to Board Meetings.
 Mutual Respect
• The Friends work hard for the money.
• The Director knows best about library priorities.
 Sharing the Future with Your Friends
• Let the Friends know every year what the library’s challenges and
opportunities will be.

13. Stepping Lightly . . .
 501(c)(3) organization.
 Know their mission.
 You have a right to see their bylaws.

14. SOLUTIONS!
 Be a Friend – join the group – check book member
only!
 Give the Friends and their gifts LOTS of publicity
and grateful acknowledgement.
 Provide Friends with a prioritized wish list – based
on the annual Friends talk about the library’s future
challenges and opportunities.
 Attend their events.

15. Solutions, Cont.
 Be brave, open a discussion with the Friends Board
about your relationship:
• You don’t have to do it alone, invite a “friendly” Trustee.
• Center the discussion on your mutual priority - The Library.
• Use a “neutral” facilitator – one not aligned with either group
– but discuss problems with him/her in advance.

16. Designing Future for Success
 Develop Mutual Working Documents for Operating
Together in the Future:
• Memorandum of Understanding .
• Library’s commitment to supporting Friends.
• Guidelines for giving.
• The role of the Friends board.

17. Goodbye and Farewell
 Time to take back your good name.
• The library’s reputation is its greatest asset.
• It’s the responsibility of the library board (if governing) or the
library’s governing body (city/county council, mayor, city
manager) to ensure that the library’s reputation is not
damaged or potentially damages by dysfunctional Friends.

18. Cease and Desist!
 Letter from Proper Library Governing Authority to
Friends President:
• Thank you for past support,
• Efforts towards a solution aren’t working,
• You may no longer use the library’s name in fundraising.
 Letter to the editor making the same points above:
do not use personal names, be polite, be optimistic –
“we’re hoping this move will allow a new Friends
group to emerge!”

19. Additional Resources
 The Role of the Friends Board:
http://www.ala.org/united/sites/ala.org.united/files/content/frien
ds/factsheets/unitedfactsheet10.pdf
 Guidelines for Giving:
http://www.ala.org/united/sites/ala.org.united/files/content/frien
ds/factsheets/unitedfactsheet22.pdf
 Sample Memorandum of Understanding:
http://www.ala.org/united/sites/ala.org.united/files/content/frien
ds/factsheets/unitedfactsheet25.pdf
 Library Support for Friends Activities:
http://www.ala.org/united/sites/ala.org.united/files/content/frien
ds/factsheets/unitedfactsheet26.pdf
 When Friends Aren’t Friendly:
http://www.ala.org/united/sites/ala.org.united/files/content/frien
ds/factsheets/unitedfactsheet27.pdf

20. For more information and coupons, visit:
www.ala.org/united/products_services/publications

21. Consultations available
 Need assistance working with your Friends group?
 60-minute phone consultations are available from
United for Libraries.
 To schedule a consultation, email united@ala.org or
call (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161.
 Pricing:
$50 United for Libraries members
$75 nonmembers

22. United for Libraries
www.ala.org/united
united@ala.org
(800) 545-2433, ext. 2161
Sally Gardner Reed, Executive Director
sreed@ala.org