Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Friends Membership topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Friends group says membership lagging; plans major fall campaign to support Bloomfield library programs
Summary
At the June 9 meeting the Friends of the Bloomfield Public Library reported membership and revenues remain below pre-COVID levels, saying the group funded about $20,000 for the library's grand opening and summer reading and will launch a fall membership drive to rebuild support.
The Bloomfield Public Library Board of Trustees on June 9 heard from Angela, a representative of the Friends of the Bloomfield Public Library, who said the group is focusing on rebuilding membership after the COVID years.
"The word of the month is membership," Angela told trustees, saying the Friends currently have 323 people on their email list but that not all are paid members; before COVID the Friends reached more than 500 households. She said the Friends have spent about $20,000 on the library's grand-opening celebrations and summer reading, and nearly $5,000 more on Teen Advisory Group activities and baby bag distributions.
Angela described a quick, interim brochure with a QR code for events outreach and said the Friends plan a major membership campaign this fall to expand donor and volunteer support. "We're putting out a whole lot more than we're bringing in," she said, urging trustees to distribute materials and encourage neighbors to join.
Trustees asked administrative questions about whether trustees could volunteer with the Friends. The chair and others noted examples of past trustees who also served as Friends volunteers and said, based on the bylaws, volunteering did not appear to present a conflict of interest; trustees discussed using ad hoc committees to draw in volunteers for leadership roles.
The Friends's outreach work is slated to include collaboration with the local chamber and business community and distribution of printed materials to reach residents who have limited internet access. Trustees and staff said the Friends's support has been central to programming at both library locations and that the board will assist with publicizing the fall membership drive.
The trustees did not take any formal vote on Friends funding at the meeting; Angela asked only for the board's help promoting membership and events.
What happens next: the Friends will finalize printed and web materials for summer events and pursue a membership campaign in the fall; trustees will receive materials for distribution.
