MALF – CRPLSA

Friends Day 2016

An invitation from Judy Schotzko, MALF President, and Kim Edson, MALF Programming Chair:

As you know, the annual Minnesota Library Association conference is nearly upon us. We hope to see you and your staff in Duluth at the end of September.

Did you know that MLA is not just for practitioners? Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF) is proud to be a Premier Sponsor of the annual conference. On Thursday, September 29, we are pleased to offer a full day of programming devoted specifically to Friends of the Library. Highlights include an energizing Idea Sharing session, Friends advocacy panel, and MALF’s own annual meeting.

Cost to register is just $65.00 for Friends (Thursday only) before August 29, and $85.00 after that date.

Click here for a full rundown. We encourage you to share word with Friends in your region, through whatever channels seem best to you. Attached, for easy reference, is a flyer promoting “Library Friends Day” offerings.

Judy Schotzko
MALF President

Kim Edson
MALF Programming Chair

Stand Up for Standout Friends 2016

MALF is pleased to introduce a new initiative, Stand Up For Standout Friends. Each and every member organization is invited to put forward the name of one individual for this special annual honor, in thanks for standout efforts in furtherance of Friends of the Library work.

Each MALF member organization may submit one name per year for the Standout Friends honor. Any Friend is eligible, provided he or she is part of a Friends of the Library group current in its MALF membership and is willing to have his or her name shared on award materials distributed across the state. In order to prevent duplicated efforts, MALF asks, but does not require, the nomination be submitted by the current president of each member Friends group.

Fill out the Standout Friend Nomination Form and return to MALF by email. If necessary, you may also mail a paper copy to the MALF office (MALF, 1080 Montreal Ave., Ste. 2, St. Paul, MN, 55116). Applications must be received by Wednesday, August 31.

More information

Refresh and Revitalize Your Friends Group: MALF Workshop

MALF Brings a New Workshop Series to Minnesota Libraries

By popular demand, “Revitalization” is the focus of this year’s Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF) annual workshop series. Sally Gardner Reed, Executive Director of United for Libraries, will lead and keynote Refresh and Revitalize Your Friends Group in half-day workshops in four locations across Minnesota.

Questions to consider: Does your Friends group organize the same slate of events year after year, without appreciable growth or diversification? Does the same handful of long-time volunteers assume all leadership responsibilities, with no real prospect of “new blood” in sight? Is your membership roster stagnant, or worse, declining?

If you answered yes to any (or all) of these questions, rest assured that you and your Friends group are not alone and Refresh and Revitalize Your Friends Group is just what you need. Please join library Friends at one of four locations across Minnesota:

Austin Public Library (SELCO)
323 4th Ave NE, Austin, MN, 55912
Wednesday, September 14 (11 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Rum River Library (MELSA)
4201 6th Ave, Anoka, MN, 55303
Thursday, September 15 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Robert Trail Library (MELSA)
14395 S Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN, 55068
Friday, September 16 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Douglas County Library (VLS)
720 Fillmore St., Alexandria, MN, 56308
Saturday, September 17 (11 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Of these sessions, Sally Gardner Reed promises, “We will cover a lot of ground, but focus on how to change the typical ‘structure’ of the Friends group to attract new, young, and active volunteers.”

In addition to the keynote, attendees will participate in small group roundtables, plus have a chance to share thoughts and experiences during an hour-long idea exchange session – a MALF workshop staple, and one of participants’ best opportunities all year to network and share with Friends from across Minnesota.

Refresh and Revitalize Your Friends Group is FREE to attend, and it is not necessary to be a member of MALF or any Library Friends organization. A complimentary lunch will be provided at each location. Pre-registration is required, to ensure the appropriate number of lunches and informational packets. Registration for all four sessions opens Monday, July 18 and will close in early September. Stay tuned to the MALF Blog for more details.

United for Libraries (formerly Friends of Libraries U.S.A.) is the Friends of the Library arm of the American Library Association, and MALF’s counterpart on the national stage. As executive director, Sally Gardner Reed oversees UFL resource development, strategic planning, and committee assignments.

MALF Support for Once Upon a Reader

Last year, the Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF) partnered with CRPLSA as the regions rolled out the first ever statewide one-book program geared towards young children. MALF is pleased to share news that as this celebration of literature and literacy, dubbed “Once Upon a Reader,” returns for a second year – and so will the MALF partnership!

MALF will offer members a generous cash match to offset up to half of the Once Upon a Reader materials costs! Matches will be capped at three (3) items and/or $300 per Friends group. Available for purchase are a waterproof and reusable Story Stroll, sign-sized book pages that will allow a library to display the Ten Pigs story outside a library or along a path in the park; an Epic Storytime Kit, which includes a copy of Ten Pigs, four other bath time and barnyard tales, and tie-in crafts; and a 15-piece Ten Pigs Play Kit for libraries to circulate among families and care providers.

Participating in Once Upon a Reader through this special offer is simple. Place an order online through the program’s website. At an early convenience, print a copy of the receipt or order confirmation form and mail it to MALF with this completed form. MALF will verify library membership and remit reimbursement for half the OUR expenses within 30 business days.

Note: Eligibility is contingent on 2016 MALF membership. Groups that participated last year are welcome to reapply for the match.

Once Upon a Reader is made possible thanks to funding from Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. This year’s season will be observed from March to October and include a diverse mix of tie-in activities, enabling libraries of all sizes and in all corners of the state to participate in the program.

MALF Scholarship to NLLD

The Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF) is offering a one-time scholarship of $500 to a Friend of the Library interested in traveling to Washington, DC on May 2-3, 2016, to advocate for libraries as part of National Library Legislative Day (NLLD). This special MALF scholarship is for first-time participants who currently reside in Minnesota. Individual-level membership in MALF, or affiliation with a Friends of the Library group that is a member of MALF, is also required.

To apply, complete the form and send long a cover letter that addresses your background as a Friend of the Library, your aspirations as a library supporter, and your reasons for wishing to attend National Library Legislative Day to the MALF office.

Apply by Monday, December 21, 2015.

MALF Best: Austin Public Library Friends

Austin Friends and Evy Nordley Award 2015 — Sue Grove, President of the Austin Public Library Friends, and Mary Ann Bernat, MALF President

The Friends of the Austin Public Library were recognized for outstanding library support at the recent MLA annual conference. The Austin Friends received the 2015 Evy Nordley Award for Best Project by Friends of the Library, the most distinguished award from the Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF).

The project grew out of a local need for new reading materials after the closing of a local bookstore. The Friends negotiated a partnership with the Rochester Barnes & Noble and offered buying opportunities for community members which coincided with special holidays.

Of the award, Friends President Sue Grove stated, “Winning the Evy Nordley Award is an affirmation that what our Friends group is doing is providing real services and benefits to our community. The $1,000 grant attached to the Evy Nordley will serve as ‘seed money’ as we explore other innovative projects.”

Click here to read more about their award-winning project and how the Friends of the Austin Public Library created a new and replicable holiday book sale model.

MALF Supported NLLD Scholarship

MALF is pleased to offer a one-time scholarship of $500 to a Friend of the Library interested in traveling to Washington, D.C. on May 2-3, 2016, to advocate for libraries as part of National Library Legislative Day (NLLD). Coordinated by the American Library Association, this annual, two-day event is the highest profile library advocacy opportunity in the country. Minnesota attendees will receive an in-depth briefing on library legislation before getting the opportunity to meet in person with members of the Minnesota congressional delegation and congressional staff.

This special MALF scholarship is for first-time NLLD participants who currently reside in
Minnesota. Individual-level membership in MALF, or affiliation with a Friends of the Library group that is a member of MALF, is also required.

Informational flyer for MALF – NLLD 2016 Scholarship

Friends Workshops Focused On Fundraising

In cities and towns across the country, the public library stands as the enduring, seemingly unchanging heart of the community. But a closer looks shows that, in point of fact, libraries are constantly adapting to meet the evolving needs of their patron base. In order to stay relevant in this environment, Friends of the Library organizations must be prepared to realign their priorities and programs to match the library’s – in other words, to expand beyond their traditional comfort zone.

MALF’s fall 2015 workshop series, Beyond Book Sales: The Future of Friends Fundraising, shines a light on the all-important fundraising aspect of Friends work. What can we do, in this current landscape, to raise real funds for our library? How do we take those first steps in a new direction? And, circling back to our roots, what does the future hold in store for the tried-and-true used book sale?

In September, library consultant and former Friends executive Stu Wilson will lead three half-day sessions covering these questions and more. Each will include an hour-long keynote, during which Wilson will brief attendees on: fundraising fundamentals; book sale trends; libraries’ increasing need for private support; changing community needs and volunteer demographics; and, effective social media tools. There will be ample opportunities for audience Q&A.

METRO: Edina Public Library
5280 Grandview Square, Edina
Friday, Sept. 11, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Register by September 4

CENTRAL: Aitkin Public Library
110 1st Avenue NE, Aitkin
Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Register by September 5

SOUTH: Marshall – Lyon Co. Public Library
201 C Street, Marshall
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Register by September 8

Every session will also include an hour-long idea exchange session – a MALF workshop staple, and one of attendees’ best opportunities all year round to network and share with Friends from across Minnesota. In addition, our local co-hosts in Aitkin, Edina and Marshall will provide guided library tours at each site.

Everyone is invited to sign up for a free workshop. It is not necessary to be a member of MALF or any Library Friends organization to attend, and all participants will receive free lunch or dinner (depending on session run time). However, you must PRE-REGISTER ONLINE at least one week prior to the date of your workshop.

About Stu. Workshop moderator and keynote presenter Stu Wilson is a lead consultant and project coordinator with the St. Paul-based Library Strategies Consulting Group. His specialty areas include strategic planning, board development, advocacy, and of course, fundraising. Wilson’s career experience includes productive terms as both Executive Director of the Friends of the Hennepin Co. Library and Vice-President of the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library. He is also the founder of Fitzgerald in Saint Paul, a nonprofit celebrating the legacy of author F. Scott Fitzgerald.

MALF Partnering with OUR to Offer Dollar-to-Dollar Match

MALF is pleased to support the new, first-ever, statewide, early literacy one-book initiative, Once Upon a Reader (OUR). To celebrate libraries, literacy and the important role of Library Friends, MALF will offer members a dollar-for-dollar match to offset the costs of purchasing OUR resources. For example:

Purchase two Take-Home Play Kits at a total cost of $200, and MALF will reimburse you $100.
Order a Vacation Scrapbook and a Milk and Cookie Storytime Kit at a total cost of $145, and MALF will reimburse you $72.50 – and so on. The combinations are endless!
Matches will be capped at three (3) items and/or $300 per Friends group.

Participating in this special MALF-OUR offer is simple. Place an order online through the OUR program website. Print a copy of your receipt or order confirmation form and mail it to MALF at the address listed below with a copy of the MALF matching funds form. MALF will remit reimbursement within 30-business days. Please remember that eligibility is contingent on current MALF membership. MALF’s total match fund is $3,000, so order today!

The book chosen for OUR’s inaugural year is Moo!, written by Minnesota author David LaRochelle and illustrated by Minnesota artist Mike Wohnoutka. While a statewide Library Legacy initiative, there is room for creativity and customization on the local level. CRPLSA is making available six program enhancements for purchase by local libraries and Friends groups. Four of the activity packages are eligible for this MALF match. There’s something for every budget.

Minnesota Association of Library Friends
325 Cedar Street, Suite 555
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101

MALF Offers New Programming Grant

A library’s Friends organization is one of its most valuable resources – a wellspring for innovative event and fundraising ideas. But while creativity and initiative may not be in short supply, funds to kick-start such programs usually are. In our continuing efforts to bridge that gap, the Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF) is pleased to announce its new Event and Programming Grant.

This is the perfect opportunity to finally bring your pet project to life! Simply fill out this form and mail or email it to MALF as instructed in the header. Be prepared to provide a draft plan of action, tentative timeline (including goals and objectives), intended audience, anticipated publicity efforts, a list of expected expenses, and anticipated impact on the library and/or its patrons.

Friends of the Library groups of all sizes are encouraged to apply, provided they serve a Minnesota library and are current in their MALF membership. (If necessary, annual membership dues may be submitted along with application materials.)

Each entry will be carefully considered by MALF’s Board of Directors. Please note that the Board meets only once a quarter, so plan accordingly. Note also that applicants who can prove a second source of funding, particularly another grant, will receive first priority in consideration.

Direct questions via email to MALF. We look forward to receiving your application!

Strengthen Libraries Together: MALF Workshop

The Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF) will partner with libraries and Friends of the Library groups to bring a free workshop, Strengthening Libraries Together, to five Minnesota communities this September. Attendees will learn ways to increase Friends of the Library membership and raise significant funds for their libraries. They will also have an opportunity to share ideas and network with others facing similar challenges.

Sessions include:

Duluth Public Library, Saturday, September 6, 9:30am-3:00pm, Register by August 30

Ramsey County Library – Roseville, Monday, September 15, 4:30pm-8:30pm, Register by September 8

Rochester Public Library, Thursday September 18, 1:00pm-7:00pm, Register by September 11

Lake Agassiz Regional Library – Moorhead, Saturday, September 20, 9:30am-3:00pm, Register by September 13

Great River Regional Library – St. Cloud, Saturday, September 27, 9:30am-3:00pm, Register by September 20

Presenter: The workshops will be led by Melissa Brechon, a library consultant who brings 25 years of applicable experience as a librarian and administrator. Session highlights include a keynote titled “Ten Things I Know to Be True (About Friends of the Library Fundraising),” in which Brechon will explore current trends and best practices for Friends’ fundraising and membership solicitation. Workshops will also include a panel discussion featuring local Friends. Attendees will come away energized by new ideas for organizational growth and successful community initiatives.

Everyone is invited to sign up for a free workshop. It is not necessary to be a member of MALF or any Library Friends organization to attend. Note: To enjoy a complimentary lunch or dinner, you must register at least one full week before your workshop. Registration takes only a moment online. Visit the MALF website and click on the “Workshops” graphic on the home page. (Alternatively: Send an email at info@mnlibraryfriends.org to reserve your spot.)

Strengthen Libraries Together press release

Strengthen Libraries Together workshop promotional flyer

F. Scott Fitzgerald Celebrated at Lunch for Libraries

Minnesota’s love for native son F. Scott Fitzgerald hasn’t abated in the decades since his death. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, as the success of events like the recent Great Gatsby library gala in Roseville can attest. It is fitting, then, that this literary giant is the focus of MLA’s seventh annual summer Lunch for Libraries fundraiser.

Lunch for Libraries will feature scholar Dave Page, a teacher of English at Inver Hills Community College, who recently edited an early and overlooked Fitzgerald work piece. Long before Fitzgerald’s rise to fame, while still growing up in the Crocus Hill neighborhood of St. Paul, this schoolboy kept an ordered diary of his life. He named it, appropriately enough, his “Thoughtbook.”

You can hear Page speak Wednesday, June 11 at Macalester College’s Kagin Commons, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul. The program will begin at 11:15 a.m. with book sales and signings. Page’s talk will run until 1:15 p.m.

Tickets are $40 each or $300 to sponsor a table for eight. For more information or to purchase tickets, email Judy Todd, or call MELSA, 651-645-5731.

The Minnesota Library Foundation raises and distributes funds to enhance services and increase public awareness of all Minnesota libraries. Lunch for Libraries has raised more than $10,000 – both for libraries throughout the state and for leadership training for emerging library leaders.

MALF Seeks Your Input

A request from the Minnesota Association of Library Friends — It will only take a minute…

Dear Friend of the Library:

As part of our overarching mission to strengthen Minnesota’s library community, MALF’s programming committee is committed to bringing relevant, high-quality programming to Friends of the Library each summer.

In 2012, library consultants Brenda Hough and Diana Weaver flew in from Kansas to give us a valuable crash course on everyday advocacy and on the nuances of formal lobbying. In 2013, Ann Walker Smalley, director of Metronet, orchestrated a workshop about growing and maintaining Friends membership and engagement.

This year… it’s up to you! Please take a moment to fill out this short (four question) survey on what programming topics you’d like to see for 2014. The poll will remain open through April 15.

MALF workshops are open to members and non-members alike, so feel free to forward on this email or share the survey link through social media:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SYNTZRQ

Minnesota Association of Library Friends
325 Cedar Street, Suite 555
Saint Paul, MN 55101-1055