Friends of the Library Policy

Mohave County Library District
PO Box 7000, Kingman, AZ 86402
Policy Title: Library District Friends Policy #2300
COVERAGE: All Staff RESPONSIBLE: All Staff Pages – 2
AUTHOR: Staff SUPERCEDES: Section 2300 dated 09/19/2005
REVIEWED BY: Citizens’ Advisory Committee DATE: 07/28/2025
REVISED: 07/28/2025 APROVED BY: BOS EFFECTIVE: 09/15/2025
PURPOSE: Friends of the Library (FOL) groups nationwide serve local libraries through activities that
support or fund library services and programs. FOL groups serve the County as agents for the disposal
of library materials (i.e. books, audiovisual materials) and as advocates for library funding at local, state,
and national levels. The creative potential of FOL groups is limitless when the group, the Library, and the
Board work together sharing common goals.
Examples of the kinds of activities in which responsible Friends groups make contributions to and support the
Library District include the following:
• organize fund-raising events for special purposes or general support of the library,
• sponsor programs for potential members or volunteers,
• serve as library volunteers,
• supplement the library’s public relations and fundraising efforts,
• help serve as hosts and provide refreshments for library sponsored events (i.e. openings, special
programs),
• participate with staff in special community events such as parades or fairs, sponsored by other
organizations, in which the library can be promoted,
• provide the library with feedback from the community regarding needs, opinions, comments and
suggestions,
• assist in taking surveys or gathering data the library may need,
• serve as advocates for the library at local, state, and national levels, and
• participate by serving on library committees and task forces (i.e. materials reconsideration committees).
1. The Library District recognizes the value of FOL groups and works with these groups to plan activities
that are in concert with Library goals and objectives. FOL groups may be organized and started by the
Library or by residents of any local Mohave County community with the approval of the Library
Director and the Board of Supervisors.
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2. FOL groups in the Mohave County Library District are encouraged to incorporate to receive the benefits
derived from being legally identified as a nonprofit, tax exempt organization.
3. As agents for the disposal of Mohave County Library District materials (i.e. books and audiovisual
materials), a local FOL group may not expend County property proceeds for anything other than their
local library or special Library District projects.
4. Insofar as possible, FOL groups will be provided with work/storage space within the local library
facility, and the Library District is encouraged to consider space for FOL groups’ efforts in all facilities
planning projects and building designs. Should it be necessary to erect a separate structure for FOL
group work/storage space, such structure will be erected by the FOL group, at FOL group expense, and
with the permission of the Mohave County Board of Supervisors when County owned land is involved.
If the structure is erected on County land, the structure is subject to County construction requirements
(i.e. licensed contractors, site-plan requirements).
5. As appointed by the Library Director, staff may serve as a liaison between the Library District and the
FOL groups, as a consultant to the FOL groups, and is designated by the Library Director to serve as an
ex officio, non-voting member of the FOL group Executive Board. Other library staff does not hold
office on the FOL group Board but may serve and vote as part of the general membership of the FOL
group. Staff may also assist FOL groups in carrying out special projects and activities of the local FOL
group.
6. The Mohave County Library District Board of Directors (Board of Supervisors) governs the Library
District and has final decision-making power on all Library-related activities. Library staff is
responsible for implementing the directives delivered by the Board. The role of local FOL groups is to
support and promote the activities of the local libraries and the Library District.
7. Fund raising, public relations, and advocacy done by local FOL groups in the Mohave County Library
District is done in concert with the Library District and the branch or community library with which
those FOL groups are affiliated. Funds raised using the name of the Library can be made available only
to the local Library involved or for special District-wide library projects.
8. As agents of the Library District and its Library Board of Directors (Mohave County Board of
Supervisors), the overall mission, goals, and activities of FOL groups are subject to endorsement by the
Library District Director and/or the Library Board of Directors. Issues that FOL groups want addressed
before the Library Board of Directors will first be heard in meetings of the Citizens Library Advisory
Committee appointed by the Mohave County Board of Supervisors to determine recommendations that
should be agendized for Board of Supervisors meetings. The Library District Director will see that
Friends issues come before the Advisory Committee for determination of placement before the Board of
Supervisors.
9. Appointed staff are expected to keep FOL groups informed of local/District activities. FOL group
presidents (or designees) are invited to regularly attend Advisory Committee meetings and report
committee actions back to their respective local groups