Abstract
One of the most fruitful collaborative relationships a library can have is with its Friends of the Library organization, providing that group is vibrant and progressive. This article provides insight into the history of the Friends of the Library group at a regional comprehensive university since its founding in 1962 to nearly becoming defunct in 2015. The steps taken in the transformation of the Friends of the Library since then from an inactive group with no clear direction, to a robust organization with an active board who have identified goals and strategies for successful library advocacy are described. The work done to successfully revitalize the group brought up the question, “Is a Friends of the Library group beneficial enough to the academic library it serves to actually have one?” This question is addressed in the article. A literature review of other publications on academic libraries and Friends of the Library groups is included.
Recommended Citation
Rust, Maureen and Stringfellow, Julia
(2018)
"Why Can’t We Be Friends? Examining the Benefits and Challenges of Maintaining Your Friends of the Library,"
Collaborative Librarianship: Vol. 10:
Iss.
3, Article 6.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/collaborativelibrarianship/vol10/iss3/6