Friends of Libraries (FLS) Section - February Update

Submitted by Terry Mulee, FLS 2nd VP & Communications Chair

FLS creates a network to connect and inspire Friends groups in all types of libraries to support the New York library community.
Revised Mission of FLS, passed by the Executive Board on May 20, 2020

FLS Celebrates 30 Years!!

Be on the lookout as FLS rolls out plans to celebrate its 30-year history; first as a Round Table of NYLA and then a Section!!

FLS Connections! Book Sale Leftovers

If you've had a book sale, you've been there: what to do with the book stock that did not sell? You've given books to community charities, teachers, veterans' groups, Goodwill, and Habitat for Humanity ReStores. Maybe you stock Little Free Library book exchanges.

Come join the conversation about surplus books and discards. Registration is now open for "FLS Connections: Book Sale Leftovers" which will be held on Wednesday, February 16, beginning at 2 o'clock and ending at 3:15 p.m.

Wilma Jozwiak and Lanna Langlois of the Used Book Sale Team for the Friends of the Clifton Park – Halfmoon Public Library, will share their group's experiences with their "Teacher and Nonprofit Free Book Grab" program at the conclusion of their book sales.

Jamie Hurst, National Library Account Manager for the ThriftBooks library program, will explain how Friends can use their excess books to advantage by partnering with ThriftBooks. https://www.thriftbooks.com/library/ Find new homes for your books via resale or charitable donation, generating additional revenue from your discarded and donated books.

Please send an email to FLSregister@yahoo.com with "Connections" in the subject line. In the message, please give your first and last name and the Friends group or library you are representing. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with the Zoom access code and any other pertinent information prior to the event. Registration closes on Monday, February 14. This session will not be archived.

FLS is building an online community across the Empire State. Please join with Friends volunteers for the continuation of this series of conversations we started in 2021. Each "FLS Connections" has a specific topic and invited speakers will share with everyone informally, followed by open mics where everyone can participate and provide their own groups' experiences and ideas. Days and times are varied to try to reach a wide audience. Each "Connections" has a limited number of participants so we can keep the dialogue focused and facilitate conversation.

Please note that the invitation to ThriftBooks to explain their program at FLS Connections! should not be construed as an endorsement by FLS or NYLA of the company or the services it renders.

FLS Sponsored Webinar: Fishing for Friends: How to Reel in Midlife Adults with Programs

Wednesday, April 6th from 2:00PM - 3:15PM

Presenter: Dr. Renee Bennett-Kapusniak, Saratoga Springs Public Library

Midlife adults are an active and demographically vast population. This generation is living longer, staying active, and looking for opportunities to use their impressive skillset in different ways. Who are these valuable individuals? Are we overlooking them for volunteer opportunities? How can public libraries tap into this significant cohort?

We'll examine the considerations when planning, marketing, and implementing adult programs that will engage adults 50+ with the library and the Friends. Examples of outreach, formal and informal lifelong learning opportunities, and creative community collaborations that can be replicated in your community will be highlighted. Gain practical tips and ideas to entice and involve midlife adults through Friends-sponsored programming and other library events.

We'll examine current trends in planning and expanding engagement opportunities to attract midlife adults to your library. Creating diverse learning opportunities along with thoughtful strategies to entice and retain them as volunteers are a win-win to encourage this growing but underserved population to become involved in activities they can enjoy for years to come.

Registration Information:
Registration will close on Friday, April 1.

The charge for the webinar is $25 for NYLA personal or organizational members (who are not members of FLS) and $35 for those who are not members of NYLA. Group registrations are also available ($75 member rate /$99 nonmember rate). Interested participants may choose to join NYLA prior to registering for the webinar to receive the NYLA member rate. However, at the time of registration, a NYLA member may not add FLS to their existing membership in order to attend the webinar at no cost. A credit card is required for payment. Checks and purchase orders are not accepted.

FLS personal and organizational members may register to attend at no charge. A member benefit for Friends Group Organizational Memberships in NYLA/FLS includes free registrations for the primary contact person and the “Friends Group Volunteer Leaders” of that group who are registered with NYLA.

When registering through the NYLA Online Membership Center, FLS members need their assigned username and password to qualify for an “FLS Member Reg Pass” that will waive the webinar registration fee. The FLS/NYLA membership must be active as of January 2022 and the expiration date must be after April 6.

Information page on Fishing for Friends: How to Reel in Midlife Adults with Programs

Library Advocacy Day 2022 Goes Virtual!

We all need to be a Friend of libraries, especially on NYLA Advocacy Day!!
On March 2, 2022, #LibraryAdvocates across the state will join together virtually for NYLA's Annual Library Advocacy Day. We cannot wait to join together to advocate for funding and policies that benefit and strengthen our libraries.

Visit the Advocacy Day page or www.NYLA.org/Advocacy to find YOUR way to participate!

FLS Newsletters:

Read the FLS December newsletter, including the FLS 2021 Annual Report to the Membership. Visit FLS Publications (www.NYLA.org/Friends > Publications) to find both the current issue of the FLS newsletter, Friends News and Notes, and a complete archive of previous volumes.

Contact FLS at FLS.NYLA@yahoo.com
www.NYLA.org/Friends