Advocacy University

Advocacy University is an American Library Association initiative that provides resources, courses, and tools to library advocates that will help them make the case for library support at a local level. It's a really wonderful resources so check it out!

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/advocacyuniversity/index.cfm#

Regional Workshops for Friend's Groups

Florida Library Association’s
FRIENDS, FOUNDATIONS and BOARDS MEMBER GROUP announces

Fall 2009/Winter 2010 REGIONAL WORKSHOPS for FRIENDS GROUPS
Open to all library supporters, staff and board members – FLA membership not required

The Winning Combination – Building Stronger Friends Groups
Registration deadline: One week before each event
Tuesday, Dec. 1 Cagan Crossings Community Library, 16729 Cagan Oaks, Clermont, FL 34714
Tuesday, Dec. 8 Robert L.F. Sikes Public Library, 1445 Commerce Dr., Crestview, FL 32539
Wednesday, Jan. 6 Hagen Ranch Road Branch Library, 14250 Hagen Ranch Rd., Delray Beach, FL 33446
Thursday, Jan. 7 Lakes Regional Library, 15290 Bass Rd., Fort Myers, FL 33919

AGENDA
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Local time)
§ Registration and social time – Courtesy of host Friends of the Library organization
§ Welcome, introductions and update on FLA and activities of Friends, Foundations & Boards (FF&B) member group – Barbara Correll, FF&B Leader and Faye Roberts, FLA Executive Director
§ Opportunities to connect with other Friends groups in your part of the state – Claire Hauenstein, President, South (Lee) County Regional Friends of the Library
§ Effective newsletters - David Hauenstein, Editor, Friends-to-Friends Newsletter
§ Sharing tips on fundraising, membership, programming, book sales and more
§ How to Become an Award-Winning Friends Organization - Barbara Correll or Ruth O’Donnell

Cost:
$18.00 per person/individual and organizational members of FLA
$20.00 per person/non-members

For more information, contact the Florida Library Association office by phone 386-438-5795 or email faye.roberts@comcast.net

First Amendment Foundation Symposium

The First Amendment Foundation (FAF) is pleased to announce that our next symposium will cover how citizens can become engaged in their government and will be presented on October 1, 2009 in St. Petersburg, Florida. You may know that FAF has received a grant from the National Freedom of Information Coalition to host a series of hot-topic symposiums on open government issues in cooperation with the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida (www.poynter.org).

Dr. Susan MacManus, professor, University of South Florida will be giving a keynote address followed by a town hall forum. The town hall forum will be an interactive discussion where the audience has the opportunity to ask questions to multiple organizations that provide resources or expertise on civic engagement. We believe this symposium is an incredible opportunity to further civic education in our state and your participation would prove invaluable.

We hope you will be able to join us. This is a FREE event. All attendees to this event will receive a complimentary copy of the Government-in-the-Sunshine manual.

Due to limited seating, we ask you to register for the event, via our website, www.floridafaf.org, or by calling us at 850-224-4555.


Agenda

5:45p.m. – 6:00p.m. Registration
Welcoming remarks by the Poynter Institute

6:00p.m. – 6:30p.m. Keynote Address
Dr. Susan MacManus, Professor, University of South Florida

6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m. Town Hall Forum
Barbara Petersen, President, First Amendment Foundation
Tim Nickens, Editor of Editorials, St. Petersburg Times
Annette Boyd Pitts, State Coordinator, Center for Civic Education
Dianne Wheatley-Giliotti, Board Member, National Chapter of The League of Women Voters
Daniel Bevarly, Founder, www.aheadofideas.com
Dr. Susan MacManus, Professor, University of South Florida


Please excuse duplicate emails.

Advocacy Podcast Available!

The Advocacy Associates' Stephanie Vance, also known as the Advocacy Guru, conducted a podcast highlighting the great experiences of library advocates and what they learned at 2009 National Library Legislative Day. Also discussed are the tips every library should know when building relationships with their elected officials.



Listen now at http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=3009

Also check out the Advocating in Tough Times Toolkit from ALA at:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/advocacyuniversity/toolkit/index.cfm

Today Show Library Story

The Today Show on NBC did a a great piece on libraries this morning. It dealt with the impact of the economy on libraries, and the impact of libraries in a downturn economy. Click the link to see:

Here is the link
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/31237988#31237988

Congratulations Friends of the Venice Public Library!

The Venice Area Chamber of Commerce recently bestowed the 2009 Non Profit Business of the Year award on the Friends of the Venice Library. The announcement of this year's honorees was made at the Chamber's annual luncheon held at the Plantation Golf and Country Club.
Lisa Backer, President of the Venice Friends, was surprised and delighted by the award: "The Friends were one of ten nominees that included the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, the United Way of South Sarasota County and the Venice Theater, Inc. It was truly an honor just to be nominated among such other well-deserving organizations.
"This award means so much to the Friends of Venice Library—it validates all of our efforts in supporting Venice Library. Each and every Friend, Board member, volunteer and staff member shares a piece of this award in making a difference in our community. Our volunteers who work in every department of the library giving over 17,000 hours last year made a difference, the Friends supplementing the library budget by $30,000 makes a difference, having energetic, creative, and professional staff to partner with makes a difference. These are just a few of the reasons we are proud to be awarded Non-Profit Business of the Year."
And while this award was given to the Friends of the Venice Public Library, Inc. it should be valued by all of our fellow Friends groups in the Sarasota County Library System. We all recognize the benefits of being part of a system, each of us doing our own little part to create a better library system for all of Sarasota County."For more information on the Venice Friends visit venicefriends.org. To find all the Sarasota County library's Friends groups, visit sclibs.net/Friends/Friends.aspx.

Sarasota County Hosts Virtual Town Hall Meetings

Sarasota County wants to hear from residents about the county budget. To obtain more involvement and consensus in the budget planning for next year, Sarasota County will hold a “virtual” Town Hall meeting before the county commissioners begin budget workshops in mid-June. The Town Hall will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 8. in the Sarasota County Access TV television studio.The discussion will be broadcast with a studio audience on Comcast 19 and Verizon 32. The session also will be streamed on this Web site.

Citizens can participate in the discussion and ask questions three ways:
e-mail: communityconnections@scgov.net
Phone: 941-861-2255 (Active on June 8)
Fax: 941-861-7354

“Changes in the economy and property values need to be balanced with community preferences for services,” said County Administrator Jim Ley. “With more information about public preferences and priorities as we prepare the fiscal year 2010 budget, the county commission can make better policy decisions with more community consensus.” For more information about the “virtual” Town Hall meeting, call the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 or visit the Community Connections Web site.

National Library Legislative Days! May 11-12, 2009

National Library Legislative Days provide a unified opportunity for people from across the country to share with our U.S. Representatives and Senators the value of federal funds that benefit libraries. You can participate in person or virtually!

If you would like to participate virtually, contact your federal legislators by email, fax or phone. You can find your congressional representatives here: http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/


Check out the ALA Key Issues Checklist for topics of interest to you and your library!

Key Issues Checklist
National Library Legislative Day 2009

APPROPRIATIONS - FY 2010

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations
□ Fund the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) at $300 million.
□ Fund the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program at $100 million.
□ Sign the “Dear Colleague” letter being circulated in the Senate by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI)
and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) in support of funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)and the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program.

Legislative Branch Appropriations
□ Fund the Government Printing Office at their request of $166.307 million.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS & REAUTHORIZATIONS
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
□ LSTA is up reauthorization this year, and this important piece of legislation should be reauthorized in a timely manner.

COPYRIGHT
The Fair Copyright in Research Works Act
□ The ALA strongly opposes H.R. 801 as it seeks to amend copyright law and reverse the National Institute of Health (NIH) Public Access Policy that provides access to taxpayer-funded NIH research on the Internet after a twelve-month embargo period.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND E-RATE ISSUES
E-rate Discounts
□ Congress should pass S. 348 and H.R. 2135 to provide a permanent exemption from the ADA for all Universal Service Fund programs by amending Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 so that USF funds “are not subject to certain provisions of… the Anti-Deficiency Act.”
□ Congress should urge the FCC to accept ALA’s proposal for simplification of the E-rate
application and disbursement processes. Maintain the E-rate and stabilize the USF program. E-rate discounts have provided public libraries with discounts totaling over $608,728,344 over the first 12 years of the program.

OPEN GOVERNMENT
Access to federally funded research reports
□ Congress should support S. Res. 118. Articles resulting from federally funded research should
be made available through a centralized electronic system, for purposes of access and retrieval by the public.

CONSUMER SAFETY
Consumer Product Safety Improvement
□ Congress should clarify CPSIA, specifying what was and was not intended to be included. While
we fully support protecting our children, the law as it stands has left many questions. Congress
should also urge the CPSC to respond to the ALA’s comments and give us needed guidance in
enough time to come into compliance with the law. Congress also should consider supporting
H.R.1692 to exempt ordinary books from CPSIA.

PRIVACY AND SURVEILLANCE
Reauthorization of Section 215
□ Congress should conduct a systematic analysis of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and related surveillance laws and make appropriate reforms to better balance civil liberties and national security. Three sections of the PATRIOT Act, including Section 215, the “business/library records provision,” due to be reauthorized by the end of this year, should be modified to protect readers’ privacy and prevent needless warrantless surveillance. Don’t forget to invite your Senators and Representatives to visit your library!

Thank you for taking the time to put together a message for your federal officials. Together we can ensure that libraries receive the funding needed to sustain and improve their valuable services to Florida's residents.

Florida Public Libraries & Privatization

The issue of privatization of libraries has been popping up frequently in Florida. Slightly dated, but useful information is available on the State of Florida website. Click on the link below to access "Florida Public Libraries & Privatization : a Guide for Florida Library Boards and Friends.

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/publications/2001/house/reports/tourism/lib_pdfs/AppendF.pdf -

Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who contacted legislators, either by phone or email and helped to restore State Aid to Public Libraries! You all did an AMAZING job. " Normal Floridians who had never called or e-mailed an official, stood up and roared!" All of you who made calls and sent emails made a significant difference. Your voices were heard!

Don't forget to take the time to thank those legislators you contacted for the work they did to make this happen!

WHY SUPPORT PUBLIC LIBRARIES?
Prepared by the Friends of the Sarasota County Libraries with national library
Statistics from the American Library Association (www.ala.org) and from the
Sarasota County Library system.

Public libraries need our support. Library use continues to climb, particularly in these tough economic times. Much more than book depositories, libraries are centers of equality and opportunity. Here are nine ways public libraries are filling essential needs:

1.) Public Libraries combat the digital divide.
In a 2006 survey, 70% of urban library computer users reported the library was their only way to get on a computer. This resource, paired with the free technology training offered by the Sarasota County Libraries reduces barriers to learning and employment in the information age.

290,756 people used the Sarasota County Library Computers in FY2008. This is enough users to fill the Robarts Arena in Sarasota to capacity for the next 42 events.

• These people used the computers for a total of 175,531 hours – this is equivalent to more than 7,313 days or more than 20 years!

2.) Public Libraries foster democracy.
Thomas Jefferson said, “An informed citizenry is the bulwark of democracy.” Public libraries ensure the free availability of information and protect the privacy and confidentiality of library users, allowing anyone to become an informed citizen. The Sarasota County Libraries host many community gatherings, programs, and even serve as early voting sites!

• The staff of the Sarasota Supervisor of Elections Office, the Sarasota County Library System, and 1,900 poll workers presided over a huge election process in 2008 servicing more than 208,000 registered voters.
• The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) was established to by the U.S. Congress to ensure that the American Public has free access to the extensive, complex, important information published by its government. Sarasota County Library System offers the largest FDLP south of Tampa.

3.) Public Libraries improve early literacy and school readiness.
Parents and educators say that libraries are the number one resource in preparing children for school and setting the stage for success. The Sarasota County Library system offers a vast assortment of children’s materials as well as many programs that promote early literacy including but not limited to: Story Times for children of all ages, Read with the Dogs programs, and Dial a Story. The ability to read is one of the most important factors leading to success.

• In FY2008, Sarasota County Libraries offered 2,487 programs for kids of all ages. This is equivalent to more than 6 programs for every day of the year.
• In FY 2008, more than 80,283 youth participated in the programs offered by the Sarasota County Libraries. This is equivalent to every child enrolled in Sarasota County schools grades 1-12 attending more than 2 programs at Sarasota County Libraries.

4.) Public Libraries assist small businesses.
Libraries actively reduce barriers to small businesses entering new markets. The Sarasota County Library System provides online electronic information resources useful to these businesses : General BusinessFile ASAP, and Reference U.S.A. provide directory information on U.S. businesses, company information and trade publications. Full text magazine and newspaper information is also available online for market research. All libraries carry collections applicable to workforce development, leadership, and small business planning and development. Many Sarasota County Libraries also host SCORE workshops as well.

5.) Public Libraries contribute to vibrant communities.
Sarasota County Libraries offer meeting space for community organizations, study groups and more. Studies demonstrate libraries increase foot traffic in commercial settings without competing with businesses. In residential areas, they enhance safety and the quality of life.

• In FY2008, 2,645 community meetings were held in Sarasota County Library meeting rooms, attended by 29,545 people. This is equivalent to more than 7 community meetings per library for each day of the year. The number of people attending these community meetings would fill the Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota to capacity for the next 4 home games.

6.) Public Libraries support communities in times of need.
Pick up any newspaper these days and you can find an article on how library use surges during times of economic recession. More people take advantage of library services, including technology, technology training. As more government offices limit services to online applications, people are referred to public libraries to apply for jobs, and government benefits online. This affirms the library’s role as a vital resource for those facing hardships and the need to protect library funding when local government budgets are tight.

• Anecdotal evidence from Sarasota County Libraries shows an increased use of the library for job searching, filing for government benefits online, and use of technology resources due to cutbacks at home.
• In FY2008, more than 2,536,995 people used the Sarasota County Libraries. This was a 12% increase over the FY2007 library attendance.
• In FY2008, computer usage in Sarasota County Libraries increased 18% over the previous year, and this only includes those using the library PCs not those using the library WiFi with their own laptops.

7.) Public Libraries serve the creative arts.
Sarasota County Public libraries offer unparalleled public access to literature, music, film, and visual arts. These libraries offer musical performances, film screenings, art exhibitions, and presentations by artists and authors.

• In the past year Sarasota County Public Libraries have offered, film fests, Lullaby Concerts for families, numerous art exhibitions, and reading festivals featuring authors.
• All county libraries offer great music and literature, available to you free with your library card!

8.) Public Libraries provide expert guidance.
Highly trained librarians answered more than 211,698 reference questions in FY2008, this is equivalent to more than 579 questions per day. Librarians are trained to guide you through overwhelming amounts of information in many formats.

• Sarasota County Libraries offers “Ask a Librarian” a service which gives you the ability consult a professional reference librarian via email or chat 24/7.
• The library’s website offers online information resources as well as a list of recommended Internet resources.

9.) Public Libraries deliver on investment.
Libraries make good monetary sense. An independent study commissioned by the State Library and Archives in Florida determined that public libraries directly return $6.54 for every $1 invested in them, an amazing return on investment.

• Click on the “What is Your Library Worth” in the upper left hand corner of the www.sclibs.net website and find out how much you would pay out of pocket for your library services!

Marketing Report from Lisa Backer, Helen Beggun, and Judy Evenson

Marketing and Public Relations in a Friends of the Library Organization 04/01/2009

I. FOLs need to organize their marketing and Public Relations activities

A. Effective communications need to be :
1. Based on integrated approach— identify target audiences, what messages do you want to convey, actively seek out opportunities to convey that message to target audiences, use multi-media approach.

2. Implemented as in-house function with responsibility assigned to specific individual, rather than handled informally by everyone/anyone.

3. Targeted to audiences both external and internal. Include existing members, prospective members, library staff, library patrons (adults, children, young adults), other Friends groups, – and don’t forget the Board of the FOL.

4. Customized through use of communications plan – see attachment (1)

B. Basic Principles for Building Successful Relationships with the Media – see attachment (2) “Want Successful Relationships with the Media?” (I need to get email copy of this from Susie Bowie)
.
C. Tips for preparing messages for the media:

a. Be brief; stay focused

b. If you call, ask reporter if it is a convenient time to speak with you. Be considerate, respectful of his/her time, and always thank them.

c. Highlight the human interest angle rather than just facts. See attachment (3) “Put Persuasive Storytelling to Work for Your Nonprofit”.

d. Find way to capture reporter’s interest so the story is worth his time. Don’t only describe an event, but tell why it mattered and to whom. For example: the FOL has just purchased computers for the lab. Find out if anyone in the class has applied his new knowledge, for such things as applying for a job online, starting a business, corresponding with grandchildren:

e. Establish contact directory of media people: names, tel #’s, personal preferences, etc. Keep list up to date.

C. Use marketing and PR to expand membership in FOL.

1. Make a directory of organizations within your library service area that represent potential sources of new members and library supporters. These could include places of worship, civic groups, professional associations, realtor offices, and homeowner and condominium associations nursery schools, welcome services, etc. Parents who home school their children are great library users—and potential members to be recruited.

2. Offer to speak to those groups, keep them informed of events at the library, and provide information for special events, children programs, calendars.
D. Use technology to get your message across to your target audience

1. Use opportunities to publicize . For example, use library computers to advertise the FOL

At Jacaranda we have installed a welcoming screen in the lab with a picture of the board members stating that the computers are a gift from FOL

2. Establish presence on the internet
.
a. Herald Tribune has website specifically targeted to nonprofits -- —volunteer opportunities, calendars of events, profiles, etc. It’s part of a “good 2 gether network” at http://dogood.heraldtribune.com/.
b. Get your FOL mentioned in newsletters and promotional materials from other events and other related organizations
c. Use various delivery systems such as email alerts, electronic newsletters, and boards.
d. Look at your own FOL website—is it current, attractive, does it provide capability for new members to join online?



Want Successful Relationships
with the Media?
Do…

…know the scene. Get familiar with the reporters covering your nonprofit’s mission focus. Get to know the Feature writers for human interest stories and the business reporters for submissions about your new board members, corporate partners, etc.Regularly read their articles, clip and file articles associated with your industry. (Same applies for TV, watch local news and become familiar with the on-air talent).
…make your releases timely, interesting. When pitching a story, ask yourself, is it timely? Is it interesting to anyone else?
…stay ready. Have possible story ideas available at all times.
…know your experts & let the media know. If you work with people who are considered experts in their field, let the media know about them. Send them a brief contact providing the expert’s name, background info and areas of expertise. List yourself as the contact person to set up interviews.
…stay in touch. Once you have established a relationship with a reporter, keep in touch. Don't just call when you need something. Let them know you liked a story they did, etc. Keep in touch via e-mail and phone.
…keep it short & sweet. Reporters never, ever waste words. You’re wasting their time if you are wasting words. Keep your news releases to one-page if possible. Reporters, editors and assignment editors are very busy and bombarded with releases daily, they want the Who, What, When, Where and Why. No all caps!
…have a media-friendly website. Post news releases, company history/facts, mission statement and contact info. (Keep it up to date).
…give lead time. The more time you provide for the media, the greater the chance it will get covered. If you send out a very early release, follow up with other releases as you approach the event. Pay attention to lead time required for magazines. (Typically 2-3 months prior to desired publication).
…follow up. You cannot expect to send a press release and sit back to wait and have it published. Although this can happen, if you really want the coverage, call to follow up.
…specify captions for images. Attach images to your releases, do not imbed them in the e-mail.



Do NOT…

…blanket reporters. When you send a release, only send it to the individuals and publications that make sense. (Don’t send releases that do not pertain to the publication's subject matter.)
…e-mail or contact several reporters/editors from one organization. Build a relationship with one contact and if you don't think they are the right contact for a particular release, ask them who should receive it.
…visibly copy everyone in a release. If you e-mail your press release to the media, send to individual reporters or use the "blind carbon copy" option so they can't see who else received the e-mail.
…think that anything is ever off record. Anything you say to a reporter is fair game for a story. Never request or specify that your comment is “off the record.” Even if a reporter begins a question with, “Off the record…,” do not believe that your comments will not be recorded!
…ever, ever ever ask to see a story before it is published or broadcast. This will never happen and will also make you look unprofessional


Adapted from Terri Behling, APR, 2006 Nonprofit Marketing & PR Forum




Always be on the Lookout for
Potential Newsworthy Items
from Your Organization

Intriguing stories about a volunteer or a project powered by volunteers
How your organization’s work is relevant to national or local trends
Human interest stories built around your programs (specific people who are being helped, how their lives are changed by your program…)
New exhibits or new programs
Local, state or national awards your organization receives
New board members
New partnerships with other nonprofit or for-profit organizations
A grant award (new or renewed)
Events…IF they have an interesting twist, they may be worthy of a story. Consider pre-coverage AND post-coverage. Even if media do not attend, submit a post-release with photos.If your events do not have an interesting twist, submit them in the calendar sections of local publications and e-publications. Calendar items are often not news!

Important Invitation

You are invited to attend a meeting with Sarasota County Government Representatives:

Commissioner Shannon Staub and Deputy Administrator David Bullock

The session will include information related to Sarasota County's proposed budget and the challenges facing public libraries.

Join us as we talk about our roles as active citizens and consider what opportunities exist in our communities.

Please plan to attend.

Date: Monday April 13, 2009
Time: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Location: Venice Community Center
326 South Nokomis Ave
Venice, FL 34285

Please RSVP to cstroth@scgov.net or call 861-5481

Overdrive Coming Soon!

At the February 19th SCLS Management Team and Friends of the Library meeting we discussed the downloadable audiobooks and eBooks that would be coming soon to Sarasota County. You asked that we post a link where you could get more information about this upcoming service. One of the providers of the service is Overdrive. The link below will give you some information about the service.

http://www.overdrive.com/products/dlr/

If you would like to explore what this might look like for Sarasota County check out the sites below who use the service:

New York Public Library

http://ebooks.nypl.org/32F9C53D-901B-43B3-BB4A-E28CB09B2B17/10/225/en/Default.htm

CWMARS
http://digitalcatalog.cwmars.org/5547DD23-7DBE-4F00-A153-1E6A7B8C9657/10/296/en/Default.htm

Stimulus Package and Libraries

Stimulus Update: House Passes American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
February 13th, 2009 Category: Funding, Government Information, OGR
The House of Representatives today passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with a final vote of 246-183, with members voting largely along party lines. No Republicans voted for the legislation and seven Democrats opposed it. The Senate is currently debating the bill and is expected to vote tonight before adjourning for the President’s Day recess. President Obama is expected to sign the bill next week.
Here are some examples of provisions included in the $789 billion economic stimulus that can directly benefit libraries:
? $7.2 billion for broadband to increase broadband access and usage in unserved and underserved areas of the nation, which will better position the U.S. for economic growth, innovation, and job creation. This includes $200 million in competitive grants for expanding public computer capacity at public libraries and community colleges. Additionally, this includes $650 million for DTV, of which $90 million may be used by organizations, including libraries, for education and outreach to vulnerable populations including one-on-one assistance for box installation.
? $53.6 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, including $39.5 billion to local school districts using existing funding formulas, which can be used for preventing cutbacks, preventing layoffs, school modernization (school libraries will benefit from this), or other purposes; $5 billion to states as bonus grants for meeting key performance measures in education; and $8.8 billion to states for high priority needs such as public safety and other critical services (including public libraries), which may include education and for modernization, renovation and repairs of public school facilities and institutions of higher education facilities.
? An additional $120 million for the Older American’s Act to provide community service jobs at nonprofit and public facilities including libraries to an additional 24,000 older Americans.
? An additional $130 million for the Rural Community Facilities Program to provide loans and grants for rural community facilities including libraries.
The next step is to make sure that state officials invest the funds they receive from Congress in libraries. It will be up to you to speak up and let your governor know how libraries are benefiting the community. We will be sending out tools to help you do this in the coming week.
Thanks to you, our system indicates 1,255 messages went to Congress in the last week with hundreds more who called and e-mailed on their own. Without your efforts, libraries would not have been successfully included in this legislation, especially the $200 million in broadband funding. This goes to show that there is strength in numbers, and we have a voice in Congress when we band together to let them know libraries are critical to our communities’ success.
Emily Sheketoff, Executive DirectorALA Washington Officeesheketoff@alawash.org

What is your Friend's Group doing?

What is your FOL Group doing that is working really well for you? Do you have ideas you'd like to share with the other Friend's Groups? Let us know using the comment section!

FOL/Library Managers Meeting

Don't miss the 3rd Friends of the Library/Library Manager Team meeting on Thursday, February 19th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the F.T.B. Jacaranda Library. The library is located at 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd, Venice.

Library Advisory Board Annual Report

The Library Advisory Board will present their annual report to the Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday, February 11th. If able you might want to take a few moments and watch. The meetings are broadcast live on Access 19. You can also view the Commission meeting live or on archive on the Meetings on Demand section of the Sarasota County website:
http://sarasotacounty.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=18

Upcoming Friends Alliance Meeting on February 4th

The next meeting of the Alliance is on February 4th at the North Port Library. The theme this month will be "Legislative Issues & FLA Library Days"

Upcoming Library Days, March 10-11, 2009

The upcoming regular session of the Legislature is convening in March. Library Days will be held on March 10th and 11th. For additional information on Library Days registration go to:
http://www.flalib.org/library_days.php

Register now - the deadline is February 20th.

Welcome to the Sarasota County Libraries Friends Blog

This is the spot! If you are a "Friend" of the Sarasota County Libraries in Sarasota County, Florida - you can come here to see the latest information from our FOL groups. This blog will allow us to communicate ideas, advocacy news, and more! You can bookmark the spot in your favorites - so you are always up to date on what's happening.