Continuing with their annual tradition, the Friends of the Metropolitan Library are generously granting funds for fiscal year 2017.  These funds will support scholarships, Summer Reading, programming and much more.  As part of their total funding this year, $44,500 has been set aside for libraries and departments to apply.  

Our role in DVS is to help streamline and clarify the process.  Talk to your manager or supervisor about the program/initiative and need for funding. Print off this form [2] which can always be found on the intranet under Development Forms [3]. Complete the form and have your supervisor sign (and they should review with their supervisor, too). Return the completed form to DVS. Proposals will be reviewed in Leadership Team meetings (so it’s a good idea to be sure your Regional Director is on board!). Approved proposals will then be presented to the Friends at one of their board meetings for a vote.

Those who are awarded funds will receive these dollars above and beyond dollars budgeted to their department (BONUS!) and be expected to report back results, as indicated on the form.

A few helpful hints?

• Remember: if your library has a Special Friends group or Guild or Club, know the Friends can only give to the library – so the request needs to be for and from the library.
• Projects and initiatives to help us achieve the goals of Library Unbound and increase market penetration and member retention may be viewed more favorably. Think of the funding as ‘seed money’ to try something new or to take something to the next level. If you are seeking funds to maintain a program or service, you may want to consider why that isn’t part of your regular budget. Finally, please pay attention to the deadlines.

If you have a need for funding or a project idea beyond the scope of this year’s Friends funding, please chat with DVS. We can help!