Welcome to the Friends of the Library Web Site
Friends of the Library
475 Moe Road
A Letter from our President
Welcome, Friends. We are glad that you have taken time to visit our Friends of the CPH Library web pages. You will notice the menu on the left. Each item in that menu takes you to another page and information about specific activities of our organization. If you wish to obtain information on current FOL activities, please click on the link that follows:
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Each year, the Friends of the Library Board reviews our Mission Statement and Goals for the year ahead. I want to take this opportunity to publish for our membership the goals our Board intends to pursue in the year ahead. We invite you to join us in our efforts to support our "community center for life-long learning!" Without the support of our membership, we couldn't achieve these goals. Please let us know if you are willing to help us by contacting our organization at:
The Mission of the Friends of the Library
The mission of the Friends of the CHP Public Library shall be to act as a bridge to the community by:
1. Increasing public awareness of, focusing attention on, and expanding the use of the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library.
2. Initiating, organizing, promoting, and encouraging cultural and educational activities.
3. Stimulating gifts and endowments for the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, as well as raising funds to support certain Library activities.
Goals for 2011
Goal I – Respond to areas of need within the Friends Board
1. Identify leadership and volunteer expertise available within our membership and link them to the appropriate activity or committee
a. Identify a Mailing Committee Chair
b. Identify a Publicity Assistant.
2. Plan, develop and publish annually on our website and in the Community News an events calendar.
3. Further determine, delegate and publish Board responsibilities including job descriptions, notebooks and assignment of goals to be accomplished
4. Communicate with FOLUSA, other Friends organizations, CPH Trustees and community organizations
• a. Sponsor a Friends Sharing with Friends meeting in the spring - 2011
• b. Send at least two representatives to the Annual NYLA Conference autumn - 2010
• c. Provide a workshop on a topic of interest at the NYLA Conference 2011
• d. Continue to enhance our e-mail communications using Constant Contact
5. Ensure a Board nomination/application process
• Change the Vice President position to President Elect.
• Ensure a full slate of officers and Board members each year.
6. Plan and publish our quarterly newsletter
Goal II – Respond to areas of need within the community of Friends
1. Increase membership
2. Increase opportunities for members to participate
3. Survey the membership periodically regarding how we might better respond to their needs
4. Continue to develop our newsletter into an interactive form of communication for the Friends, with more people writing articles or submitting personal writing such as book reviews, poetry, personal essays.
5. Establish a Friends blog that encourages the sharing of ideas.
6. Support the Library Ambassador Program as a resource to our library staff
Goal III – Increase community awareness of the Friends
1. Ensure public relations and publicity.
2. Develop and carry out an annual vote mobilization process.
3. Meet annually with the Library Trustees to update them on our activities and to determine areas where the Friends can be of assistance.
4. Ensure FOL representation at the monthly Board of Trustees meeting.
5. Welcome Board of Trustees representation at our monthly meeting.
6. Further develop our website.
7. Plan/sponsor cultural and social events that will encourage membership participation.
8. Continue to sponsor two $1,000 scholarships annually.
9. Continue to support the Museum Pass Program.
10. Continue to support the FOL Outreach Program
a. Support the Shatekon Literacy Project.
b. Continue to soponsor the Scholastic Book Fair.
c. Provide resources for homebound seniors.
d. Provide resources for our troops.
11. Honor the Volunteer of the Year at a special reception on the evening of the Library Vote Day.
12. Sponsor the creation of four architectural renderings of our four library buildings to be unveiled at the reception on Library Vote Day 2010.
13. Plan and initiate a Junior FOL Membership.
Goal IV - Determining and Addressing the Needs of the Clifton Park – Halfmoon Community
1. Identify who our community is - who we serve, and who we do not serve
2. Determine how best to serve them.
3. Establish Business Membership opportunities.
• Boosting Business - $125 - listed in each newsletter and on our website.
• Supporting Business - $250 - above plus business card reproduced in our e-newsletter.
• Sponsoring Business - $500 or more - above plus can choose a Friends activity toward which sponsorship would go and have name associated with it.
This goal will parallel goals for the Library proper, expressed in the strategic planning discussions.
Goal V – Maintain financial viability
1. Develop an annual budget that allows for outreach into uncharted areas and support for library projects that develop throughout the year.
2. Explore and sponsor fund raising events
a. Install a sales cabinet to display and sell Cat’s Meow, totes and book bags, note
paper, entertainment Books
b. Explore other fund-raising opportunities. For example, design and have note
paper printed to sell.
3. Continue ongoing used book sales, improving communications and encouraging broader participation by our membership.
4. Continue to offer an annual Collette Vacations trip and at least two bus trips.
Become a library supporter! Join the Friends of the Library in 2010!