Friends of Libraries Section EventsNational Friends of Libraries WeekOctober 19 - 25, 2025 October 18 -24, 2026 Friends of Libraries groups have their very own national week of celebration thanks to United for Libraries, the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, an affiliate of the American Library Association. Held annually each October, National Friends of Libraries Week (NFOLW) offers a two-fold opportunity, both to promote Friends organizations to the community and to encourage volunteers and supporters to become members. This is also a time for the library’s Board of Trustees to recognize the Friends volunteers as library civic leaders and draw attention to their important work. Friends groups all over New York State have used this opportunity to promote their activities and their contributions to their local libraries. For many years, the Empire Friends Roundtable and then FLS pursued a legislative proclamation of the week. FLS now encourages groups to work with their local elected officials and library boards for recognition of their ongoing support of their library. Here is a short list to help you start thinking about the different ways your Friends group can celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week:
Looking for additional ideas to celebrate? FLS members may log in to have access to these past FLS “Friends News and Notes” newsletters: “NY Friends Garner National Award” by Jen Allen, FLS Coordinator for NFOLW – July 2024, p.7. A Friends group in the Nassau Library System received recognition in 2023 from United for Libraries for their celebratory efforts in United for Libraries’ annual contest. “FLS Connections! Making the Most of National Friends of Libraries Week” – March 2024, p.5 and p.7 ff. FLS Connections! hosted Jillian Wentworth, Deputy Director for Strategy and Engagement for United for Libraries, who shared ideas for celebrating NFOLW using examples from across the country. Pages 7-10 of the newsletter are detailed minutes of her presentation. For access to a PDF of these past issues, you may also contact FLS at [email protected] and ask for these articles. ******************************************************************************************************************************** FLS Connections!FLS Connections! is an online conversation offered via Zoom. Each session has a specific topic and invited speakers share informally, followed by open mics where everyone can participate and provide their own groups’ experiences and ideas. These sessions run 75 minutes. They are not archived, but presentation minutes and resources are distributed after these events. Registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link and subsequent follow-up materials. There are no FLS Connections! scheduled at this time, but check back in the fall for event announcements. ******************************************************************************************************************************** FLS 2024 Annual Membership MeetingFLS held its Annual Membership Meeting on November 13 via Zoom. The meeting included a review of the activities, projects, and accomplishments of FLS in 2024, as well as the announcement of the FLS Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award and introductions of the members of the Executive Board, officers, Members At Large, and auxiliary volunteers for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 FLS Boards. Annual Report Approval of Minutes |