71°
ARMONK, N.Y. - The sixth annual National Friends of Libraries Week starts Sunday, offering "Friends" groups an opportunity promote community outreach programs and raise awareness.
The celebrations also allow library staff and Board of Trustee members to recognize Friends groups and support local libraries. Cristina Ansnes, North Castle Public Library director, said the Friends of the North Castle Library has played a pivotal role in many ways during recent years.
I really dont know where we would be without the Friends today, Ansnes said. The Friends make it possible for us to provide all of the programs we have here in the library and we would not be able to do a single one of them without the support of the Friends because with all of the budget cuts weve had over the last few years our library programming is zero.
The national celebration was coordinated by the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, a division of the American Library Association. There are approximately 5,000 Friends of the Library, Trustee, Foundation and individual members and affiliates representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters.
"I'm convinced that the libraries are so much richer for the enthusiasm and expertise that the Friends bring to the Library," Sally Gardner Reed, ALTAFF executive director, said in a statement. "I hope that libraries across the country will use this week to honor their best supporters the Friends of their Library and use this opportunity to promote and expand their membership in this valuable organization."
Friends groups, library Trustees and library staff can access a variety of online resources to help them celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week. Materials available on the ALTAFF website include promotional ideas, editable publicity materials, camera-ready bookmarks, ideas from past celebrations and more.
In 2009, when Westchester Library Systems celebrated its 50th anniversary, it recognized the Friends of the North Castle Library as a volunteer organization that has provided a foundation to sustain library services in their community.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Armonk and receive free news updates.
