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PHILADELPHIA – United for Libraries has made available a free toolkit to those looking to start a friends of the library group at a college, community college or university.

“Academic Library Friends: A Tookit for Getting Started – You Can Do This!” was written by Charles D. Hanson, director of Kettering Library Services, Kettering University, and past president, Friends of Michigan Libraries. Available at , the toolkit provides information on the value of a friends group, how to get started, developing a mission, marketing and more.

Also available at are two additional free toolkits. “Libraries Need Friends: Starting a Friends Group or Revitalizing the One You Have” includes tips on membership, outreach, fundraising and more. “Friends Groups: Critical Support for School Libraries” is geared toward school librarians looking to create a friends group.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the 91´«Ã½ that supports those who govern, promote, advocate and fundraise for libraries. United for Libraries brings together library Trustees, advocates, Friends, and Foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information or to join United for Libraries, visit the or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org.

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