1. Bigger Opportunities for Better Libraries Loleta Fyan Rural Library Conference April 30, 2009

2. The Breton Group 50+ Michigan public libraries –26 Needs Assessments –35 Feasibility Studies –20 Capital Campaigns: $17+ Million raised – 7 Millage campaigns – 6 Miscellaneous services

3. Observations 1.Libraries are more than most people know and expect. 2.Libraries are under-appreciated as community assets. 3.Library “people” generally do not advocate assertively for their libraries. 4.Most people do not associate philanthropic giving with the library. 5.Libraries have great potential to generate philanthropic support.

4. Objectives Generate greater awareness of what your library offers and its vital role in the community Generate greater support for the library

5. Ultimate Goal: Sufficient funding How do we do that? Development: We Build Relationships WE MAKE FRIENDS FOR THE LIBRARY

6. Why Are Friends Important? They’re there when we need them. They help out. They attend our events. They tell others about our projects. They get others involved They give money.

7. Making Friends (Five I’s of Development) Inform Involve Invest Identify Interest

8. Making Friends - Identify Broad-based Who needs to know about the library? Specific Who can benefit the library with leadership, influence, affluence?

9. 2007 Charitable Giving: $306 Billion 75% 7% 5 % 13% IndividualsBequestsCorp/BusFoundations

10. Making Friends Cultivation Inform Invite Involve

11. Making Friends Inform Spread the word – be an ambassador for the library –Family –Friends –Coworkers –Neighbors Share your knowledge and enthusiasm

12. Inform Who is the audience? What is the message?

13. Audience/Constituencies Elected officials Opinion leaders Educators and students Young families Seniors Youth Homeschool families Job seekers People lacking technology at home Potential/donors

14. AudienceMessage SeniorsTech resources and classes, magazines, newspapers, creational reading, Internet access, on-line investing tools, genealogical research materials, adult programs, opportunity to preserve limited income; health, travel and entertainment information; talking books; life-long learning (intellectual stimulation) Community leaders: elected, opinion leaders, etc. Programs, resources, services, community asset available to everyone in the area regardless of means; municipal resources for planning; repository of community history; preservation of community history and source of community pride (library building) Potential/donorsPrograms, resources and services available to all; community educational and cultural asset Students, homeschooled Academic support; valid research capability; recreational reading; summer reading and other children’s programs; access to practice tests; Internet access, including kids’ databases/search capability; access to information regardless of means; filtering EducatorsCurriculum support, research capability, resources for students, recreational reading; encourages student learning (summer reading program) and life-long learning; teach training Audience - Message

15. Business peopleBusiness support resources, tech classes, Internet access, online investment tools; community asset that impacts quality of life and business value; entrepreneurial and business planning resources Non-library usersAvailability of resources, programs and services for everyone (levels the playing field); educational and cultural opportunities for youth; community asset that strengthens community Historic preservationists/ local history buffs; genealogists Repository of local history; historical resource FamiliesHealthy, wholesome activities and resources for all family members; safe destination

16. Communications Methods, Strategies, Venues “Fast facts,” talking points Patron profiles Website Newsletters Blogs City, township (service area) website links School communications Civic organizations, Chamber of Commerce, DDA, etc. Church bulletins Marquees

17. What Does Your Billboard Say? Are You… Informed? Positive? Involved? Enthusiastic? Committed?

18. How Do You Inform -Broad-based? Strategically?

19. Making Friends Interest and Involve Invite them to read to kids Host a tour Host a social gathering at the library Interview for the newsletter Ask for advice Recruit for a committee

20. Making Friends Involve Follow up –“Thank you for participating.” –“What did you think?” –“What were your impressions?” –“What is your opinion?”

21. Making Friends Invest Ask friends to invest in the library –Broader-based Annual appeal Memorial giving –Specific Special projects (new programming, summer reading, etc.) Capital campaigns Planned (deferred) gifts

22. Development Pyramid Annual Giving Annual appeal, memorial gifts, etc. Special/Major Gifts Planned Gifts

23. Making and Keeping Friends Call donors to thank them personally Invite them to special events at the library; build the connection Keep in touch

24. Top 10 Things You Can Do to Help Their Library 1.Be informed, enthusiastic, committed 2.Spread the word 3.Seek new opportunities/audiences to expand library awareness 4.Identify those who can be most helpful to the library; open the door to potential “friends” 5.Invite people into the library

25. Top 10 Things Trustees Can Do to Help the Library 6.Ask for advice, counsel, opinion 7.Thank donors – again and again 8.Find new ways to appreciate donors 9.Connect prospective donor interests w/ library projects/events 10.Provide an opportunity for a someone to make the library better – ASK FOR THE GIFT!

26. Questions?

27. Thank you!