Mark you calendars if you are in Connecticut for the weekend of May 21-22, 2011 for the Connecticut Book Festival. Sponsored by everyone that is library connected at the West Hartford campus of the University of Connecticut
They will be hosting a great line up of authors like Wally Lamb, who is the honorary festival chair, is an amazing author that has traveled both the fiction and nonfiction sides of the cover with awards to boot; Michael C. White who has six award winning novels and the founder of the MFA Creative Writing Program; and remember our favorite TV anchor, Diane Smith who's "Connecticut" stories have comforted us all. See the link above to see all those authors that have committed to this great two-day event.
Of course there will be readings and signings by the authors, some storytelling!, and food. I love that, we need to let folks know that yes there will be food (said with a little tongue and cheek).
If you know of other festivals or events, please let me know!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
For all the Friends of Libraries - it's a season of Thanksgiving,
Thank You for your dedication to your group,
Thank You for your support of your public library,
Thank You for the countless hours you spend sorting books for the sales,
Thank You for raising awareness to the community around you that your library is an amazing resource for all,
Thank You for all the fund raising events that keep your calendar full of great things to do, and
Thank You for reaching out and involving so many people in the mission of the Friends.
May you enjoy the holiday season, pass along the thanks to everyone you see. May you enjoy Health, Joy and Peace.
Photo Courtsey of mckenzieo @flicker
Friday, November 19, 2010
Mail Bag
Hi all, I've been settling back into the way of life since the FOCL Conference. I am so impressed by the great job that was done and by the number of people that attended representing so many Friends groups.
In the last week or so, I've received some email questions and will be sharing them with you as I receive them.
From Penny:
We currently only send thank you's to new life members, and those making donations over and above the membership amount. Based on all I heard Saturday, I would like to send thank you's to all the rest of the members - new and renewal - wonder if you think a hand written postcard would be ok (short, save postage) or it really needs to be a proper note card ? thank you!
To Penny:
Actually postcard idea sounds great. It's isn't the actual "form" in as much as it is the actual "thank you" you send to your members. As we heard from the conference, Thank You is so important. You need to look at your budget for membership and plan accordingly for either postcards, note cards and the postage.
Couple of ideas for your postcard: Have some information preprinted, such as; your logo, address and phone number of how to get in touch with you, and your website address. You won't need the postal service "Address Service Requested" as you are writting to current members.
Depending on your budget, you might make the postcards available to all your committee chairs so they can send quick notes to those members that volunteer.
Great Job Penny
In the last week or so, I've received some email questions and will be sharing them with you as I receive them.
From Penny:
We currently only send thank you's to new life members, and those making donations over and above the membership amount. Based on all I heard Saturday, I would like to send thank you's to all the rest of the members - new and renewal - wonder if you think a hand written postcard would be ok (short, save postage) or it really needs to be a proper note card ? thank you!
To Penny:
Actually postcard idea sounds great. It's isn't the actual "form" in as much as it is the actual "thank you" you send to your members. As we heard from the conference, Thank You is so important. You need to look at your budget for membership and plan accordingly for either postcards, note cards and the postage.
Couple of ideas for your postcard: Have some information preprinted, such as; your logo, address and phone number of how to get in touch with you, and your website address. You won't need the postal service "Address Service Requested" as you are writting to current members.
Depending on your budget, you might make the postcards available to all your committee chairs so they can send quick notes to those members that volunteer.
Great Job Penny
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Getting those Volunteers! Stop it
I read this great article that said we need to Stop trying to get volunteers and instead begin to interview our members. We should find out what they are interested in, their passions, and then our organization may gain new insights and then new volunteers.
Click here Three Questions That Mobilize Members to Volunteer to read more about it.
There is also a great tip card link that summarizes the essence of the article.
Click here Three Questions That Mobilize Members to Volunteer to read more about it.
There is also a great tip card link that summarizes the essence of the article.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Snafu's
Just last night, I found out that there was difficulty using the downloads from my links to Google Docs. Much thanks to Mary and Carl at FOCL for pointing this out!
My apologies to everyone. One of the difficult taks in writting a blog, is determining what is 'best'. We all know that 'best' is different for everyone. My first choice didn't work! Opps and a great lesson learned!
Late last night and early this morning, I've changed all the links on my Great Download page to make it easier for you, my readers, to view and save the presentation.
Again, Thank you, Keep up your work with your Friends Groups, You all do a Great Job.
My apologies to everyone. One of the difficult taks in writting a blog, is determining what is 'best'. We all know that 'best' is different for everyone. My first choice didn't work! Opps and a great lesson learned!
Late last night and early this morning, I've changed all the links on my Great Download page to make it easier for you, my readers, to view and save the presentation.
Again, Thank you, Keep up your work with your Friends Groups, You all do a Great Job.
Books for FOCL Membership seminar
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Advocacy at www.ilovelibraries.org
Election Day is over once again. Here in Connecticut we had some real battles, not enough ballots to vote on, and it was ruled we could wear WWW clothing to the polls.
While all of that is over, I urge you not to sit back. Our battle to keep our libraries funded is not only on the local level. Some of the sorely needed money is funded at the Federal level. The site http://www.ilovelibraries.org/, part of American Library Association has some great information about advocacy for libraries and what we need to remind our legislators about in Washington.
At the Federal level, there is a grant called LSTA - or Library Services and Technology Act which was signed into law in 1996 by President Clinton. It wasn't really "new" as it's predesessors were the Library Services Act and the Library Services and Construction Act. This Act, LSTA, needs your support. This grant helps funds all that is technology, and we all know that is important. By clicking on the link above, you will be taken to the site and you can then hunt around.
On of the links for this page allows you to send a prepared email to your Federal congress person. It's great - except in my humble opinion - email stinks. If you really want the elected offical to pay attention, take the note and send it to the local office. That means they have to handle it in person and it is delivered in the "pouch" to your representative. Even better, and this gets lots of attention - pick up the phone and call the local office or call Washington. Don't be surprised that you'll speak with a staff member. Staff members are the best.
Several years ago, I was in Washington and 'stomping' on the Hill. It was a lot of fun and we got a great chance to walk around. What we found amazing, is how much staff wanted to talk with us, "the voters from home". When we had the chance to speak with our representatives directly, they said that unfortunately they can not answer all emails, but getting a phone call means the most and they can get additional information right away. On that last stomping visit - we were asking for our congress persons to sign on to a 'friend of letter'. Staff was unaware of the "letter" and before the day was out, (we got an email two hours later) the congress person had signed on. It works!!
If you have the chance - pick up the phone - call Washington and let them know that your library depends on the LSTA grants.
Here's the "message" from the ALA site, consider sending or calling your Legislators today.
I am writing to urge you to support $300 million for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in the FY 2011 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. Across the country, countless libraries are facing state and local budget cuts while experiencing sharp increase in patron traffic. America's libraries need your support now more than ever.
Your constituents depend on their local libraries every day,perhaps in ways you may not realize. Sixty-seven percent of our nation's libraries report that they provide the only free access to computers and the Internet in their communities, but libraries provide more than access. Within the last two years, libraries have experienced significant increases to the areas of support to the public they offer the greatest increases of services have been in helping patrons complete online job applications, create resumes, and access job databases and searches. Unfortunately, during this time of increased demand for public libraries, library budgets all across the country are being drastically cut. This culture of rising demand and lowering budgets has created a 'perfect storm' for America's libraries.
Thank you, and I hope that you will support libraries in FY 2011.
While all of that is over, I urge you not to sit back. Our battle to keep our libraries funded is not only on the local level. Some of the sorely needed money is funded at the Federal level. The site http://www.ilovelibraries.org/, part of American Library Association has some great information about advocacy for libraries and what we need to remind our legislators about in Washington.
At the Federal level, there is a grant called LSTA - or Library Services and Technology Act which was signed into law in 1996 by President Clinton. It wasn't really "new" as it's predesessors were the Library Services Act and the Library Services and Construction Act. This Act, LSTA, needs your support. This grant helps funds all that is technology, and we all know that is important. By clicking on the link above, you will be taken to the site and you can then hunt around.
On of the links for this page allows you to send a prepared email to your Federal congress person. It's great - except in my humble opinion - email stinks. If you really want the elected offical to pay attention, take the note and send it to the local office. That means they have to handle it in person and it is delivered in the "pouch" to your representative. Even better, and this gets lots of attention - pick up the phone and call the local office or call Washington. Don't be surprised that you'll speak with a staff member. Staff members are the best.
Several years ago, I was in Washington and 'stomping' on the Hill. It was a lot of fun and we got a great chance to walk around. What we found amazing, is how much staff wanted to talk with us, "the voters from home". When we had the chance to speak with our representatives directly, they said that unfortunately they can not answer all emails, but getting a phone call means the most and they can get additional information right away. On that last stomping visit - we were asking for our congress persons to sign on to a 'friend of letter'. Staff was unaware of the "letter" and before the day was out, (we got an email two hours later) the congress person had signed on. It works!!
If you have the chance - pick up the phone - call Washington and let them know that your library depends on the LSTA grants.
Here's the "message" from the ALA site, consider sending or calling your Legislators today.
I am writing to urge you to support $300 million for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in the FY 2011 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. Across the country, countless libraries are facing state and local budget cuts while experiencing sharp increase in patron traffic. America's libraries need your support now more than ever.
Your constituents depend on their local libraries every day,perhaps in ways you may not realize. Sixty-seven percent of our nation's libraries report that they provide the only free access to computers and the Internet in their communities, but libraries provide more than access. Within the last two years, libraries have experienced significant increases to the areas of support to the public they offer the greatest increases of services have been in helping patrons complete online job applications, create resumes, and access job databases and searches. Unfortunately, during this time of increased demand for public libraries, library budgets all across the country are being drastically cut. This culture of rising demand and lowering budgets has created a 'perfect storm' for America's libraries.
Thank you, and I hope that you will support libraries in FY 2011.
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