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Citizens for Libraries - - Information and Memberships

Citizens for Libraries: Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), is a national organization representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. For more information see http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/altaff/index.cfm or call 800-545-2433. Citizens for Libraries: Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations is an organization made up of the former FOLUSA (Friends of Libraries U.S.A.) and ALTA (The Association of Library Trustees and Advocates), forming an expanded division of the American Library Association. In 2011 the organization approved adding "Citizens for Libraries" to the title.

The Nebraska Library Commission purchased (and renewed) memberships to Citizens for Libraries (formerly FOLUSA) for all Nebraska public libraries to ensure that their library staff, Friends, Trustees, and Foundations can take advantage of this organization's services to enhance fundraising, advocacy, and public awareness (good until June 30, 2012). To access the resources, contact the Nebraska Library Commission Reference and Information Services for username and password at 402-471-4016 or 800-307-2665; e-mail.

This membership will provide Nebraska Public Libraries with subscriptions to The Voice for America's Libraries (a bi-monthly compilation of best practices for Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations from across the country with in-depth articles on successful fundraising, advocacy, trustee news, and public awareness), access to awards, discounts on library resources, and global networking opportunities with others who support libraries.

Nebraska Public Library Friends & Foundation groups are listed here.

Trustee Academy (please contact Laura Johnson on these courses, through December 31, 2012)

Citizens for Libraries Publications available from the Library Commission:
            Even More Great Ideas for Libraries and Friends
            Getting Grants in Your Community
            Making Our Voices Heard: Citizens Speak Out for Libraries
                    Please contact the reference desk to borrow these publications.

Citizens for Libraries Conferences

Citizens for Libraries & Paula Poundstone See how you can utilize Paula to help raise awareness of your Friends of the Library groups

NCompass Live Archived Online Session: A Conversation with Sally Reed, ALTAFF/FOLUSA 11/18/2009
Sally Reed is the Executive Director of the American Library Association's newly re-designed Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF). ALTAFF is the result of the merger of Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA), which Reed headed, and the former Association of Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA). Sally shares her ideas about ALTAFF's mission and vision and how Nebraska and its libraries can benefit and fully use the resources available through this dynamic ALA division. Learn how Nebraska's unique statewide membership can benefit Nebraska - its libraries and people.

Training Workshop presented by Sally Reed, April 2008
Great Ideas for Libraries and Friends with Sally Reed, Executive Director, FOLUSA, Videoconference PowerPoint Slides

Handouts from FOLUSA Training Workshops presented by Sally Reed, March 2007:

Advocacy Campaigns - Legal Limits on Spending for Non-Profits
Checklist for Advocacy
Friends Board Development
Getting and Keeping Members
How to Organize a Friends Group
Model Friends' Cooperative Network