Melissa Brewer, S553 for 4/10/12

We Would If We Could, But It Is Not  In The Budget:  Success Stories In Third Party Funding For Public Library Programs by Goodman

Very inspiring stories of how other library systems sought funding from outside sources.  Partnerships and collaboration were prominent in these examples……making special projects possible and successful.  These stories and examples followed many of the steps or important aspects we discussed in class last week and learned via our class assignment in “Shaping Outcomes” course.

Working with Friends Groups:  Enhancing Participation Through Cultivation and planning by Lowman and Bixby

This article addresses budget cuts for both academic and public libraries.  Rice University was the focus in this article and how they addressed  utilizing their “Library Friends Group” to offset funding reductions.  Alumni was reported to be very active at Rice and other universities in supporting fundraising efforts.  Of particular interest was the 10 point strategic vision, a communication effort with fellow universities which addressed the mission for Rice and the most closely aligned goal with the mission of Friends of Fondren Library.  In this connection they found collaborating with the city of Houston a great partnership and opportunity to make needed changes for enrichment while providing educational and cultural resources to the Houston population.  The article provided a summary of activities and events the “Friends” provide and how they went about these events and what was gained or lined up /planned for future success.  We learned outreach and cultivation was a primary goal in planning these events……of which I could see connections to what Indiana University leadership follows.  Many of the ideas shared in this article were very clever and planned out well. I also know some of this activity for folks who do not understand the strategy can see like frivolous spending by an organization or university.  Even though the public does not always understand these missions….the fact to share progress in the community was important to not only cultivate for future partnerships and donors but also to make the community feel included.  I liked reading how many “seed” funding opportunities were overseen and included in a planning process that would continue to expand the life of the project while long range funding was concepted and achieved.

Key Donor Cultivation:  Building for the Future by Leonhardt

In the beginning of this article you understand a “case study”  is expected to have a beginning and at least some idea of an end.  Leonhardt used examples that were more ongoing…which I feel many of the projects in a library are planned to not have an end date or hopes of expanding into evolving versions for long term projects.  I know there are many short time frame programs…but feel when prominent issues in the library are addressed….you are looking for a successful and long range project.  I also feel that planning for funding success will change as the project grows.  I found interesting how Leonhardt quoted “go with the flow because the flow knows where to go.”  How well I can relate this to financial activity at the university where we see some of what seems like original ideas being put in place….has already been put in place at other universities and businesses….or follows very quickly after we make changes to new practices.  I found Leonhardt’s article quite interesting and how he felt strongly unless you have well established  and strong “friends” group….you are best off creating an advisory board with the primary goal of fundraising….not policy and management.