Survey of Michigan Public Library Trustees January 2010

Dear Library Board Chair:

This survey is being sent to you from the Friends of Michigan Libraries (FOML) to ascertain your library board's possible interest in joining a group whose purpose would be to provide training and education for trustees and to promote libraries and library services in Michigan. FOML is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), organization providing information, support, and advocacy for Michigan Friends of Library groups.

The FOML Board is considering a possible Board of Trustees membership with an annual membership fee of $35, an all-inclusive fee for all of your board trustees. By joining FOML board trustees would have additional workshop training opportunities and access to a proposed website (MAFT - Michigan Alliance of Friends and Trustees) dedicated to trustees information, separate from the FOML website (www.foml.org).

This alliance of Michigan Friends and trustees would follow the principles of cooperation and collaboration similar to those in the national library organization, ALTAFF (Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations) http://www.folusa.org/altaff.php.

Working together, FOML and trustees could

• Share in a long-term planning process to ensure that each is aware of future goals and directions for training and education of members;
  
• Share strategic initiatives and discuss how to provide resources and support for these initiatives;
  
• Provide volunteer support in the development of newsletters, mailings, meeting coordination, promotional materials (to include website development) and other activities related to improving communication with Michigan citizens and libraries.

This alliance with FOML would be separate from the MLA institutional membership, and trustees are encouraged to continue MLA institutional membership so that MLA can continue its key advocacy role with the Michigan Legislature.

Would your board of trustees consider joining The Friends of Michigan Libraries as a Board of Trustees group member ($35 membership) to receive the benefits of a Friends-Trustees alliance as described above? __________YES ________NO
Comment (optional):____________________________________________
Chairperson Name______________________________________________
Library________________________________________________________
Email address___________________ Phone_________________________

Sincerely,
Charles D. Hanson, President
Friends of Michigan Libraries

Note: Roger Mendel, Director, Northland Library Cooperative, and Shirley Buursema, Trustee, Kent District Library provided assistance in developing this initiative, and the FOML Board approved this initiative and survey on December 16, 2009.

Return this survey by FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2010 to:

FOML - Trustees Survey
c/o Dr. Charles D. Hanson
Kettering University
1700 University Ave
Flint MI 48504
Or cast your YES-NO vote by sending an email to chanson@kettering.edu

 

 

 

Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
"Michigan is our home!"