National Friends of Libraries Week is not a well-known celebratory occasion marked by the United for Libraries Association, but it is important. The association, a division of the American Library Association, works to give a voice to libraries across the US. The week is celebrated between the 16^th and 22^nd October and aims to promote friends of libraries and their hard work in supporting libraries.

Library and Board of Trustees can also use the opportunity to highlight the countless hour's volunteers and supporters of libraries put in to promote reading and books in the community. Friends of libraries provide a critical workforce and fundraise for local library associations. They encourage children and teens to read by hosting various events in the library and privately.

Who are Friends of Libraries?

Friends of Libraries are volunteers, supporters, and organizations that go out of their way to support local libraries. The first group was started in 1922 by Mrs. Al Chase from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Friends dedicate time out of their busy schedules to volunteer their time to the library directly or use their resources to fundraise for the library. Friends of Libraries can be an essential source of funding for local libraries dependent upon local grants to keep existing facilities up and to run.

Friends of Libraries also play an important role in advocacy. They remind government officials and local community members that libraries are not archaic but important community centers. Online reading and digital books have not changed the way libraries work. It has only expanded its reach.

Why are Friends of Libraries Associations so Important?

National Friends of Libraries Week is essential because it encourages adults and children to read. The experience of going to the library also promotes a sense of community, as usually, the library is a central point where discussions, events, and readings are held.

As parents, it is essential to encourage children to visit the library and create a library card. A library card is a responsibility that children can learn a great deal. They will feel responsible for the books they check out and know they need to return them in the same condition.

With online bookstores and e-reading, the physical library may seem outdated, but libraries across the country have updated their process of checking out books, and those libraries that are signed up with certain apps will now allow you to search, check out and even read online.

Let us take a look at the contribution of Friends of Libraries and why they are so important: 

Encourages You to Love Your Libraries

National Friends of Libraries Week encourages you to love your library, and why shouldn't you? Your library is a common meeting place for community members to hold events and discussions and invite authors to read their books. It brings readers from across generations, races, and languages to join together to participate in the shared reading activity.

Connect with Your Library

Your library also is a place for you to use technology and broadband internet. Many households cannot afford the internet, and your library provides free access to computers and the internet to carry out academic research, employment search, and anything you may need a computer and internet for. Friends of Libraries raise necessary funds for these resources and encourage you to visit your library to avail of these free resources and share this with other community members who may not know it even exists.

Introduce Reading to Your Children

National Friends of Libraries Week encourages partner organizations to arrange events where children are introduced to reading. The Friends of libraries play an essential role in creating opportunities for children to read, visit the library and interact with other children in the community.

Friends of Libraries are an Important Source of Funds

Friends of Libraries is an important fundraising source for local libraries with small budgets. Their fundraising efforts are instrumental in ensuring grant money is sourced and applied for. Libraries have limited staff, and many of those staff members are limited in their expertise. Friends of Libraries can help local libraries apply for grants without disrupting library staff responsibilities.

Friends of Libraries Hold Book Sales

Many Friends of Libraries hold annual book sales that help raise funds for the library while encouraging reading amongst adults and children. Friends of Library book sales are important annual events that many libraries across the country publicize and hold events around.

Supporting Friends of Libraries, Supports Reading

Our local libraries need support from community members. Our Friends of libraries are essential individuals who ensure that our libraries are maintained and given importance in the community. Without their help, it would be near impossible for local libraries to function.

Celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week by remembering the essential volunteers who make your visit to your library possible!

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