Friends of Dacus Library: Events

• United for Libraries Virtual Conference (July 29-31, 2025)

United for Libraries Virtual is an interactive three-day virtual event featuring expert speakers on current topics facing library Trustees, Friends, Foundations, and staff who work with them. You will be able to participate in live Q&A sessions with education program presenters; enjoy microlearning sessions, Book Buzz videos featuring forthcoming titles, the keynote, and Virtual Gala Author Tea; and receive a certificate of attendance (for individual live participation or on-demand viewing).

• National Friends of Libraries Week (October 19-25, 2025)

Special events are being planned. More information will be announced soon!

Download the sample proclamation, tailor it to your community or campus, and ask the mayor, principal, or president of the college to sign.

• Place copies of the proclamation (public or academic) in visible places in the library.
• Reprint the proclamation in the Friends' and/or library newsletter.
• Place a copy of the proclamation on the Friends' and/or library website.

Plan a membership drive to coordinate with National Friends of Libraries Week.

• Place a special display in the library's lobby (main and branches) that includes copies of your membership brochure. Make it creative and fun and tell the story of the Friends through pictures and props.
• Schedule volunteers to staff the table or display during busy times at the library. Be sure to recruit outgoing volunteers who are willing and able to "sell" the Friends. Hand out membership brochures, and consider offering a membership "special" with a reduced rate, 15 months for the price of 12, or a special drawing for those who join during a specified time.

Contact the newspaper about a feature article about your Friends group and all the great work you have done on behalf of your library.

• Download the sample press release and add information about your group.
• Highlight your programs, money donated to the library, number of volunteer hours, etc. - anything that helps to paint the picture of how your group supports the library.
• Create a photo opportunity in advance of or during National Friends of Libraries Week. A picture of the Friends receiving a proclamation from the Mayor or City Council can be submitted to the local newspaper, included on the Friends' website and can be reprinted in your newsletter.

From ALA Promotion and Celebration Ideas

ALA provides fundraising ideas from around the country!

A few examples include:

• Lakewood, CA

The Jefferson County Public Library implemented a naming rights program in conjunction with the recent remodel of its Golden Library. See the brochure (PDF, 994 kb), guidelines (Word, 34 kb), and policy (Word, 45 kb) for more information.

• North Kingston, RI

A Century of Books for all the Mind’s Journeys is a guide to 100 American classics, published by Friends of the North Kingston Free Library and available at the library for $5. The selection for 1899, for example, is McTeague, Frank Norris’s colorful story of late nineteenth century San Francisco.

• Rockville, MD

"Born to Read" is a major project of the Friends of the Library in Montgomery County. The program reaches out to parents and babies, especially at-risk families, and teaches them to love books. Sessions held in the library show parents, caregivers, and babies how much fun reading and books can be. One source of funding for the program is donations, and the Friends help to encourage gifts by placing a bookplate in a children’s book for each $35 donation. It’s a great way to recognize a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion, and grandparents can use this as a wonderful way to welcome a special child.