1992.01.26 _ Friends of Libraries coming to the rescue

In hard times, local libraries discover who their friends are. And in Westchester, some dormant organizations of library friends have recently been reactivated.

The national Friends of Libraries U.S.A., supported by dues from member groups and by corporate contrlbutlons, reports a 25 percent increase in local friends organizations since 1990. Last year, supporters of local libraries
raised $26 million nationwide.

"Friends of libraries are a marvelous way to get large groups to buy into libraries," said Diane Courtney, a consultant for the Westchester Library System, the state-supported organization created to enhance the network of libraries In the county.   

"Thanks to friends," she said, " Library users can enjoy special frills like storytelling programs, concerts and special film programs." 

Advocacy Is a Major Goal

Sandy Dolnlck, executive director of Friends of Libraries U.S.A., said advocacy should be a chief goal of 
supporters. In the pas t, counties like
Westchester did not have comparat1vely strong friends groups, she said, because local libraries were able to provide for almost all the public's needs. When particular books were needed, affluent readers were able to purchase them at bookstores. 

But now "we have to battle for a piece of the pie," Ms. Dolnick said. "We hve to get our message across that library services are important."

Ms. Courtney, too, said that becuase many municipalities are seeking to reduce services, there was a need for voters to press their legislators to make local libraries a top priority for financing. 

At the Briarcliff Manor Public Library, where there is a reactivated friends group, Walter Florent, president of the Library Board, said he planned to use the Friends fo the Briarcliff Library to braoden support for an expansion of library space. "They will be my third arm in sending out letters and reaching the community," he said. 

The organization had been dormant for several years after one president left without designating another, said Charles Farkas, the library director. 

300 Families Sign Up

It was Mr. Farkas who suggested revitalizing the support group to Terri Zuckerberg, a new village resident who had become active in children's storytelling at the library. 

Mrs. Zuckerberg, now president of the Friends of the Briarcliff Library, siad the organization had become successful beyond her dreams, "We hoped for 200 families to join," she said, "instead we have well over 300 members, with thousands of dollars in contributions and dues coming in." 

The organization's first major project is a two-part workshop on living a healthy life, to be given Friday and Feb.7 and then repeated on two Sundays, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9. Admittance to the workshops. "Taking Control: Rx for a Healthy Life," will be for members of Briarcliff Friends only. A two-year membership is $15, $25 for a family. 

Future events, which may be open to all, will include a children's program, a spring concert and another adult workshop. The organization also plans to make a yearly gift to the library. "This is all so new to us," Mrs. Zuckerberg said. "We want to see what happens."

Mr. Farkas, saying he had long hoped for a new and active support organlzatlon,1 said the library "Is the only show ln town" and compared its role to that of "the well where people came lo gossip In ancient times."

A New Group in Yorktown

At the John C. Hart Memorial Library in Yorktown, the friends organization became active when the library moved into its new and larger building. 

Among the projects undertaken by the Friends of the Hart Library are instituting a quick-turnover collection of best sellers, running a successful used-book sale and sponosoring concerts and programs. 

Its director, Betty F. Stewart, said: "They are also taking on the large expense of donating lighjted exit and entrance signs." can only provide the icing on the cake; the underpinning is the responsibility of the town." 

Problems outside the province of Friends of the Library, she said, include and insufficient library staff and an inadequate budget for materials. 

Ms. Courtney also saw possible risks, warning: "There is a danger when the Friends group takes on the underwriting of regular expenses that should be the function of the funding agency. These cannot be sustained and the library will be left worse off than before. 

"But this is my only caveat," she said. "There is a certain pride in enhancing local institution."