Libraries are private, non-profit organizations that
depend on the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations to help
ensure that libraries remain free to the millions of people who visit in person
or via the web each year. While
government funding supports the basic operations of many of our nation’s
libraries, there are still many more libraries that depend on contributions
from private sources.
Contribute at your
library
Consider a tax deductible gift to your library. Many libraries have memorial programs,
endowments, and other opportunities to support quality library services. Some other ways you can contribute to your
library are:
o
Donate your time, money and expertise to your
library.
o
Nominate your library as your community, school,
or corporate organization’s project for the year.
o
Buy your library a subscription to a popular
magazine
o
Honor a friend or relative’s birthday with a
book for the library.
o
Donate a book, or a whole shelf of books.
o
Remember your library in your estate planning.
o
Write a check to your library’s
Foundation/Friends Group.
o
Give to the library through your company’s
matching program for charitable giving.
Be A Friend at your
library
Join the Friends of the Library, a support group of
volunteers who provide fundraising and other assistance for many
libraries. As a member, you will be kept
informed of library funding issues. If
there is no Friends group, start one.
School, academic, and special libraries can all benefit from such
groups.
o
Donate your used books for the Friends book
sale.
o
Give the gift of membership to a friend or
relative.
o
Use your skills to help with programs and
fundraising events.
o
Find new resources for the Friends.
o
Develop and publish a Friends “Wish List” for
potential donors.
o
Volunteer to work at the Friends Library booksale.
Volunteer at your
library
Volunteer your time.
Opportunities might include delivering reading materials to shut-ins,
helping kids with homework after school, or being a “grandparent” reader to
preschool children. Other ways to
volunteer include:
o
Offer a committed helping hand to your library’s
staff.
o
Shelve books or nurture plants.
o
Clean up after emergencies.
o
Present an adult program.
o
Read stories to children or help with class
visits.
o
Mend materials.
o
Help out Friends of the Library.
Promote at your
library
Research has shown that everyone loves libraries, but no
one thinks about them very much. That’s
where you come in. You don’t have to be
a public relations expert to promote your library. You just have to talk about your
library. Here are some ways to do it:
o
Attend local government meetings to urge city
and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource, on
that will save substantial tax dollars in helping people of all ages to be more
literate and productive.
o
Support library referenda in elections.
o
Write to your state and federal legislators and
demand that library service be viewed (and funded) as essential public
services.
o
Urge school and college administrators for make
library funding a high priority.
o
Write a letter to the editor of your newspapers or
call in to a radio talk show to express your concern. Share your concern with friends, family,
neighbors, and co-workers. Many people
are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally –
on in their own communities. Encourage
others to get involved.
o
If you are a writer or have contacts with the
media, suggest a story about the many ways libraries serve their communities
and the need for support.
o
Speak up for libraries at campus or community
groups that your belong to, the PTA, Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, League of
Women Voters, faculty groups, etc.
Invite your librarian to talk about services and needs.
o
Participate in Library Legislative Day
activities.
