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PHILADELPHIA -- Friends of A.K. Smiley Public Li­brary (Redlands, California) and Friends of the Logan County (Kentucky) Library are winners of United for Libraries’ 2014 National Friends of Libraries Week Awards. Friends of Fondulac Library (East Peoria, Illinois) and Friends of Chel­sea (Michigan) District Library earned honorable mentions for their efforts.

Friends of A.K. Smiley Public Library held a Western-themed kickoff party for National Friends of Libraries Week, billed as the “Friends Roundup.” The event included author presentations, live bluegrass music, family friendly activi­ties, tabletop displays, giveaways and refreshments. During the week, the Friends unveiled a newly designed logo and brochure, new tote bags, an updated rate schedule for membership levels and fees and a social media campaign Taking the opportunity to roll out their new publicity materials during the week helped result in increased membership and great visibility in the community.

Friends of the Logan County Library showed their apprecia­tion for the library and the commu­nity’s support by celebrating National Friends of Libraries Week all week with activities for all ages. Russellville Mayor Mark Stratton and Logan County Judge Executive Lo­gan Chick issued proclamations declar­ing it Friends of Libraries Week in Russellville and Logan County. The Friends received publicity via radio and the local newspaper, which ran a feature on the Friends and the week’s celebrations. The Friends increased the group’s membership by 10 percent.

Friends of Fondulac Library celebrated the week in a new 32,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. The Friends recruited new mem­bers on Sunday by staffing tables in the library. On Monday morning, the library staff, patrons and the mayor of East Peoria were treated to a beautiful book cake provided by the Friends. Friends Presi­dent Vicki Lambrich and Treasurer Dolores Eads presented Library Direc­tor Amy Falasz-Peterson with a check for $1,000 to begin a new project that will benefit the library and community.

Friends of Chelsea (Michigan) District Library celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2014, and used National Friends of Libraries Week to promote membership. During the week the Friends appeared on a local radio show and hosted a Chelsea Chamber of Commerce event at the library to promote the member­ship drive and National Friends of Libraries Week. More than 50 people attended, and received complimentary books.

The next National Friends of Libraries Week will be held Oct. 18-24, 2015. For more information, visit .For more information on the National Friends of Libraries Week Awards, visit .

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.