Management

Diverse Group of people standing looking forward

Resources for Directors

Training and other resources for library directors.

Resources for Boards and Trustees

New! Find manuals for trustee members, meeting ideas, activity templates and much more.

Data and Evaluation

Find information about evaluating library services, demonstrating impact, and annual report information.
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Friends of North Carolina Public Libraries (FONCPL)

FONCPL provides a network for sharing ideas and resources to strengthen Friends of the Library and thereby strengthen our public libraries statewide. Visit: https://foncpl.org/.

Friends of Library Board Member Training

The State Library of North Carolina has created an orientation module for Friends of Library Board members to enhance your understanding of public libraries and your roles and responsibilities as board members including advocating for quality public library service.

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Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

A Memorandum of Understanding is an agreement between the library and Friends group which outlines the respective roles, responsibilities, and fiscal relationship between the library and the Friends. It is highly recommended that the library and the Friends have this written agreement.  United for Libraries provides a sample MOU and other resources for Friends Groups.

Library Foundations

Library foundations can provide significant funding for library needs that are distinct from the regulations and restrictions that apply to governmental institutions. Foundations can seek grants and establish endowments.  United for Libraries provides foundation resources including guidelines for establishing a foundation and sample bylaws and MOU.

 

Below is a list of organizations that provide grant seeking resources and opportunities for nonprofit agencies, such as Friends of the Library and Library Foundations.

  • Candid offers access to the joined forces of Foundation Center and GuideStar connecting nonprofits and foundations to the resources they need.  Includes Visualizing Funding for Libraries data tool.
  • Foundation for the Carolinas serves as the catalyst for philanthropic activity for 13 regional affiliates.
  • Grants.gov is an e-government initiative operating under the Office of Management and Budget as a centralized location for grant seekers to find and apply for federal funding opportunities.
  • State of NC Grant Opportunities is a comprehensive listing of grants awarded from state agencies to local governments and nonprofit agencies.
  • Knight Foundation supports libraries through increasingly focused funding innovation and collaborations to help adapt to the changing community needs and preferences in the 21st century.
  • Library Grants blog for anyone interested in library grant opportunities.
  • North Carolina Center for Nonprofits is a member driven organization providing support for North Carolina’s 501 ©(3) nonprofits to strengthen nonprofit management practices.
  • North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) is the single statewide community foundation serving North Carolina partnering with a network of affiliate foundations to provide local resource allocation and community assistance across the state.
  • North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation is committed to grant programs in North Carolina and resources for continuity planning for nonprofits and foundations.
  • Webjunction Course Catalog for Funding webinars (must sign up for free account to access webinars.)
  • NEH Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants may provide capital directly supporting the purchase of equipment and software; the design, purchase, construction, restoration, or renovation of facilities needed for humanities activities; and collections sharing.  
  • USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program provides grants and loans to rural libraries in United States. Community Facilities grants and loans may be used to construct, enlarge or improve public libraries. To see if your library is in a rural community, and to find out more about this program, contact your local RD Service Center. 
     

Below is a list of North Carolina organizations that may fund grants to public libraries usually through nonprofit agencies, such as Friends or the Library and Library Foundations.

  • Cannon Foundation funds capital and equipment organizations across North Carolina
  • Dogwood HealthTrust serves communities in Western North Carolina providing grant opportunities and attracting more funding and resources to the region.
  • Duke Energy Foundation  is focused on strengthening and uplifting communities throughout North Carolina with grant funding for $20,000 or less.
  • Golden LEAF Foundation works to fund projects with promise to bring significant economic improvement with priority given to North Carolina’s tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, or rural communities.  
  • John W. and Anna H. Hanes Foundation makes grants available with a primary interest in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County region.
  • Mebane Charitable Foundation makes grants to educational program partners across the state of North Carolina.
  • Reynolds American Foundation focuses grant opportunities within communities where significant numbers of  R.J. Reynolds employees live and work.

For more information:

For further information or to request Board or Friends training, contact Lynda Reynolds.