Sociologist, author, and New York University professor Eric Klinenberg believes that libraries are the greatest social infrastructure our country has.
“I don’t know of another institution that has the capability to make such a diverse set of people feel dignified and welcome when they walk in the door,” Klinenberg told attendees at the outset of United for Libraries Virtual, a three-day virtual conference hosted by United for Libraries (UFL).
Virginia's statewide membership allows for Trustees, Friends, and Foundation folks to attend United Virtual for free! See details for 2025 below.
The 19th annual National Friends of Libraries Week took place Oct. 20-26, 2024. Friends groups across the U.S. participated online and in their communities, from social media campaigns to in-person celebrations and events. Two Friends groups were chosen as winners of United for Libraries’ 2024 National Friends of Libraries Week Awards. Each group received $250 in honor of their celebrations.
Applications were judged based on creativity and innovation, engagement of Friends, library staff, and Trustees, and recognition/promotion of each Friends group.
ADVOCACY CENTER
Sign Up with the Virginia Library Association as an Advocate!
Click HEREand sign up for the VLA Advocacy Center Mailing List to make sure you're receiving Virginia action alerts and updates on policy issues related to the library field. This will help you keep abreast of legislation that could affect your local library and community.
UNITED FOR LIBRARIES RESOURCES
Virginia library staff and stakeholders (folks like you!) have access to a whole host of resources from United for Libraries.
Given the increasing national scrutiny of public libraries, strong Friends organizations that are steadfast in defending intellectual freedom and are proactively advocating on behalf of the libraries we support are more crucial than ever. Through this program, you will learn how a longstanding Friends organization evolved beyond book sales, created clarity and excitement where fear of the word "advocacy" once existed, and developed a simple framework for library advocacy that any group can put to use.
Opportunity-driven advocacy considers people, place, and platforms. Learn how to best understand and address the needs of state and local legislators, staffers, community organizers, and influencers and engage with or create library supporters—highlighting the library as an invaluable resource that gains community support and funding dollars.
Friends groups make a lasting difference for their libraries. Learn how to ensure your library Friends have a bright future and strategic direction in the areas of recruitment, succession planning, board development, advocacy, and membership. Find out how resources from United for Libraries can help as you grow and strengthen your Friends group. Scalable ideas will be shared for libraries and communities of all sizes. The program will include panel presentations, activities, and idea sharing.
Agenda/Topics
Part 1 – All Ages Welcome: Recruiting Friends (presentation and breakout activity)
Part 2 – The Changing Role of Friends Groups: Friends & Advocacy (panel discussion)
Part 3 – Breakout - Planning next steps for Advocacy and Friends
Part 4 – Lightning Round - Short presentations on recruitment, succession planning, board development, advocacy, and/or membership.
SAVE THE DATE: July 29-31, 2025
This interactive three-day virtual event will feature expert speakers on current topics facing library Trustees, Friends, Foundations, and staff who work with them.
Participate in live Q&A sessions with presenters.
Enjoy exclusive access to keynote speakers and authors.
Receive a certificate of attendance (for live participation or on-demand viewing).
Free registration for Virginia library stakeholders courtesy of the Library of Virginia -- opens in April 2025.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Designing Inclusive Surveys for Effective Fundraising
This workshop is designed for nonprofit professionals eager to enhance their survey design skills with an inclusive, practical approach. Together, we’ll dive into techniques for crafting questions that invite honest responses from a broad audience. From identifying biases to ensuring accessibility, this session will show how even small adjustments can make a big impact on the quality and representativeness of your data...
Crisis Management in Libraries: Preparedness and Response
Libraries are not immune to crises, whether they involve security threats, natural disasters, or public health emergencies. This webinar provides essential strategies to prepare library staff for effectively managing various crises, ensuring the safety and well-being of both patrons and employees. Participants will gain the tools to develop comprehensive crisis management plans, execute them efficiently, and communicate clearly during emergencies.
Join Beth Warren, Manager of Strategic Partnerships for the Denver Public Library, to learn why partnerships are beneficial to libraries, and how you can apply partnership principles to your work. The session will cover the building blocks of successful partnership development, creating a partnership framework, practical tips for finding mission-aligned partners in your community, and managing those partnerships effectively...
Please note, if you register with a non-library issued e-mail address, someone from the Library of Virginia will follow up with you to confirm that you are affiliated with a Virginia library before you can access the content.
BOOKS
titles
Click on the image to learn more about each title, and then use your local library to request them from the Library of Virginia.
FROM AROUND THE STATE
Virginia library staff select their favorite reads from 2024
January 9, 2025
178 public library staff members from around the Commonwealth of Virginia weighed as to what their favorite reads were in 2024. A whopping 526 titles were shared! You can download the lists of the fiction and nonfiction favorites below:
This newsletter is brought to you by the Library Development & Networking Division of the Library of Virginia. Funding for this is provided through the Virginia General Assembly and the Institute for Museum and Library Studies (IMLS).
