2011 Outstanding Michigan FOML Award

Did your Friends of the Library carry out an outstanding project or a number of successful activities in your community during 2011 that had a significant impact on your library’s services to the community?

The Friends of Michigan Libraries (FOML) is initiating an Outstanding Michigan Friends of the Library Award for 2011, an award based on the ALTAFF model. FOML invites Michigan Friends groups to apply for this award. There will be two $400 awards: one to a Friends group in a Michigan Class I-III library and one to a Class IV-VI library. (Check with your library director for your library’s class size.) Applications must be postmarked by January 15, 2012, and the winner will be presented with the award at the FOML Annual Membership Meeting in 2012.

The award will be given to a Michigan Friends group for a specific project carried out in 2011 or based on the full scope of the group’s activities during 2011. Applications will be judged by the FOML Membership & Marketing Committee on the following criteria:

1. Planning: Involvement of the Friends, library, and community in the use of resources, an innovative and appropriate activity, and measurable outcomes (e.g., attendance at event, increase in patron use of the library, etc.).

2. Implementation: Public relations, broad membership involvement, and use of resources.

3. Evaluation: Assessment of activity or program with measurable results.

4. Innovation: New idea(s) for program or activity, creative involvement of community and specific citizens, and creative use of public relations.

5.Community Involvement: Evidence of community involvement in planning and implementation.

The winning Friends group will receive $400 and a plaque, with an invitation to attend the FOML Annual Membership Meeting in 2012 to receive the award.

To be eligible for this award your Friends group must be a 2011 FOML member (membership information can be found at www.foml.org) and completed the project or activities during the 2011 calendar year.

Send electronic (Word document) applications with descriptions of how your Friends group achieved the results of the five criteria listed above to chanson@kettering.edu.

Your Friends group could be a winner!