Friends of North Carolina Public Libraries
Welcome Friends
Friends of North Carolina Public Libraries (FONCPL)—our statewide volunteer Friends of the Library organization—provides a network for sharing ideas and resources to strengthen Friends of the Library and thereby strengthen our public libraries statewide. Our fine public libraries serve all North Carolinians, providing myriad programs and services for people of all ages—from infants to senior citizens and everybody in between. "There is beauty and purpose in the work of all the people who direct or support public library service in North Carolina, and since 1980 FONCPL has been an enthusiastic advocate for their efforts," says Regina Gale Dozier, former FONCPL Director.
Grants & Awards
In October, the FONCPL recognized Lisa Keesen, the Secretary of the Friends of the New Bern-Craven County Public Library as a Friend of the Year for her contributions to her Friends group. Congratulations Lisa!
On October 3, 2022, the FONCPL Board awarded its sixth Seed Grant to the Friends of the Gibsonville Public Library.
On September 30, 2022, the FONCPL Board awarded its fifth Seed Grant to the Friends of the Spruce Pine Public Library to help revitalize this group.
On September 27, 2022, the FONCPL Board awarded a $250 Challenge Grant to the Friends of the Library of Southport and Oak Island for benches for the Barbee Library at Oak Island. Congratulations!
On August 22, 2022, the FONCPL Board awarded its fourth Seed Grant to the Friends of the Wren Memorial Library in Siler City (Chatham County) to help establish a new Friends group.
In May 2022, the FONCPL Board awarded its third Seed Grant to the Bladen County Friends of the Library to help revitalize an existing Friends group.
In January 2022, the FONCPL Board just awarded its second Seed Grant to Denton Friends of the Library (Davidson County) to help establish a new Friends group.
The first Seed Grant ($500) was awarded to the Friends of the Public Library of Johnston County & Smithfield to fund the cost of applying for and attaining nonprofit status.
FONCPL awarded our first Challenge Grants to member Friends:
- $250 to Friends of the Vanceboro-Craven County Public Library for their project, "Catch the Little Free Libraries Bus."
- $250 to the Friends of the Lexington Library to fund a project to give a free book to every elementary school child that attends the May 7, 2022 Multicultural Festival in Lexington.
Congratulations to all these winners!
Current Newsletter
The September Newsletter 2023 has been posted to the website. Things to note:
- September is library card sign up month. Help your library get new patrons!
- September 15th is the deadline for the FONCPL Challenge Grant application. Click here for information.
- September 19 at 7:00 PM is the next Open Mic night with FONCPL President Judy Hills. We'd love to hear from Friends about membership management programs and online payment of dues. See p 12 of the newsletter for the link.
- September 30th is the deadline to submit the name of one of your Friends for NC Friend of the Year recognition. Click here for the information.
- Oct 1-7 is Banned Books Week. How are you celebrating your right to read?
- October 15-21 is National Friends of the Libraries Week--a good time to celebrate your successes!
- Deadline for the October edition is 9/25/23. Send your material to editor Kathy Lambe.
What's New or News
- Open Mic Night Tue 9/17 7:00 PM
Given some issues that have come up this month with Friends in North Carolina, we are going to change the topic for the September 19th Open Mic Night to book banning and advocacy. This is apropos because Banned Books Week is October 1-7. Almost daily on the nation's newsfeeds, we hear about book banning, challenges, threats, and the actual closing of public libraries. Librarians are being harassed to the point where they either quit or are fired. Rarely do we hear about the efforts of Friends of these libraries providing support and advocacy during these trying times. We need to have an open, serious discussion about this. What can or should we be doing? Should we be proactive or reactive? Please contribute your thoughts on Tuesday, September 19th at 7:00 PM. The link was sent directly to FONCPL members. - Open Mic Night
We are giving Open Mic night a rest over the summer and will pick this monthly event back up after Labor Day. Save the dates: 9/19, 10/12 and 11/14 at 7:00 PM. Let us know if you have a topic. - FONCPL 2022 Annual Report
We encourage you to read our annual report that summarize our accomplishments in 2022. Click 2022 Annual Report to read. - Join NC-Friends listserv. This NC State Library listserv is for those interested in friends related activities and public library service. To join: https://statelibrarync.simplelists.com/
To send a message via the listserv:
nc-fol@statelibrarync.simplelists.com