Statements
Mission
'Friends of Linebaugh Library (FOLL) shall be a non-profit organization whose object shall be to promote the interest and welfare of Linebaugh Public Library as a cultural, educational, and recreational asset to the city of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, including contributing to reading engagement in the local community via donations of books and educational materials to non-profit, community, and governmental agencies. FOLL also supports the Myrtle Glanton Lord (MGL) branch, the Technology Enhancement Center (TEC), and the Linebaugh Library Bookmobile,
Background
This organization was founded in 1981 to raise money to help fund Linebaugh Library programs/equipment that were desired beyond the scope of the Library budget. It gained 501(c)(3)status in 2011. The majority of funds raised come through sales of donated books via 10 bookstore sales, as well as daily Linebaugh Library lobby $2 a bag sales. Additional money comes from membership renewal, donations, and fundraisers. In 2021 we had 201 members, including 87 life members. Membership forms are also available on the www.rclstn.org website and at the front desk of Linebaugh library. Volunteer forms are also located on the same site. The FOLL Board of Directors consists of 13 members, including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Meetings are once a month for 10 months of each year.
Impact
2022 accomplishments:
1. providing over $16219 in support to Linebaugh Library, MGL Library, and TEC
2 funding the Youth Services Summer Reading Program and Fall Activities, Adult Winter Reading Program, benches for library patio, and display case for the new TEC (Technology Engagement Center)
3. providing 300 paperback books per month to the Rutherford County Detention Center.
4. we were able to return to holding monthly book sales while continuing to sell books on our Facebook page, and in an eBay Store.
5. Through generous donations of books and new ways to sell books, we were able to increase the revenue available to promote, expand and improve the three libraries in Murfreesboro.
2023 Goals
1. Raise community profile of Friends of Linebaugh Public Library
2. Increase memberships and volunteers
3. Open and build a customer base for the FOLL bookstore
Needs
Help with branding our organization and increasing visibility in the community
Increase number of volunteers to help with programs, fundraisers, and establishing an on-line presence
A volunteer to be our webmaster and create a greater presence on social media
CEO Statement
No CEO - See President's statement
Board Chair Statement
As a faithful library patron my whole life, I have been happy to serve on the FOLL Board for the last two years. It is a pleasure to work with the 13 dedicated members of the board, the librarians and staff, and the volunteers who make our organization possible. Our fundraising leadership enables the Linebaugh Library, its two Murfreesboro branches, and the bookmobile to extend beyond their budgetary limitations with additional programs and services to the community of Murfreesboro/Rutherford County. Our efforts also include tangible thanks to, as well as equipment for, the staff and volunteers of these libraries for their dedicated efforts.
In the brief time in which I have served on the board, I have seen significant growth in the scope of Friends activities. We have gone from an organization depending solely on membership, occasional donations, and book sales to one with a thriving used bookstore and eBay store as well as increasing number of programs and fundraisers in the community.
We have brought authors to speak to both adults and children. We have partnered with other non-profits in the community to promote literacy. We have purchased books, materials, furniture, and equipment for the library and patrons.
We are poised to raise our visibility in the community but need help from volunteers to do this. We are an organization entirely made up of volunteers and it is a challenge to find the people with knowledge and experience with webpages, on-line sales, marketing, and other methods of reaching out to the virtual community. Volunteers with this kind of expertise would be a huge benefit to our organization.
As R. David Lankes, Professor and Director of the School of Library & Information Science at the University of South Carolina, said, "Bad libraries build collections, good libraries build services, great libraries build communities." We invite you to join us to through your donations of time and money to help us partner with Linebaugh Library, MGL, the TEC, and the Bookmobile in building communities.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Education - Libraries |
| Secondary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Humanities |
| Tertiary Category: | Public & Societal Benefit - Citizen Participation |
Areas Served
Friends of Linebaugh Library serves the following Rutherford County zip codes--37085, 37118, 37127, 37128, 37129, 37130, 37131, 37132, 37133, 37149, and 37153. We do not serve the Smyrna and Eagleville libraries as they have their own Friends organizations. We do not serve the La Vergne Library because it is not a part of the Rutherford County Library System.
| TN - Rutherford |
