Friends of the Library support groups are the grassroots champions for libraries of all kinds.  Bringing together community members who believe in the mission and value of the Library, Friends groups:

• Raise funds to supplement library budgets, through activities such as book sales
• Sponsor public programs (author talks, children’s storytimes)
• Serve as library advocates in the political arena

Some library systems have independent Friends’ groups for each library branch.  Other’s have a single group for the entire library system.  Still others combine an umbrella Friends with individual groups in a coordinated organization.

Library Foundations typically are created to raise funds for a specific purpose, such as building a new branch library.   A foundation seeks and accepts major financial donations to the library, and may administer development programs such as endowments.

Related Websites

• Friends of South Carolina Libraries (FOSCL)
• Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA)  
  

Information from the S.C. Secretary of State

• The “Guidelines for South Carolina Nonprofit Charitable Organizations ” issued by SCSOS provides instructions for forming a Foundation. (Note:  This publication is due to be revised in 2007.)   
• “Starting a Non-Profit, With Information about Boards of Directors, Questions and Answers, and Links to Internet Resources ” A 12-page HTML document produced by South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO)  
• “Saving America’s Libraries: Changing the Model for Library Funds Development ” A 58-page report on library development produced by Lewis Kennedy Associates, 2004. 
• “Introduction to Public Library Foundations ” Wyoming State Library’s excellent document about forming and running a library Foundation.  Written for Wyoming libraries, but can be adapted for any state.