FAQs
Below are the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) we receive. If you still have questions after reading these, please contact us at staff@folmc.org.
Jump to a Question:
1. What is Friends of the Library?
2. How does FOL help the libraries?
3. How is Friends of the Library funded?
4. How is FOL organized?
5. My local public library doesn’t have a Friends chapter — how do we get one started?
6. How can I join FOL or make a donation?
7. What benefits do I get for my membership?
8. How does my membership benefit libraries ?
9. How can I help libraries that have the greatest need?
10. What else can I do to help the libraries in addition to donating money?
11. How do proceeds from Book Sales benefit libraries?
12. Is my donation tax-deductible?
13. What about the County Library Board? What do they do?
14. What is the Charles W. Gilchrist Volunteer Award?
1: What is Friends of the Library?
A: Friends of the Library (FOL) is a private non-profit organization established to provide financial and political support for Montgomery County Public Libraries. We connect volunteers with their local libraries and help the MCPL fulfill its mission of service to the citizens of Montgomery County.
2: How does FOL help the libraries?
A: Friends of the Library funds projects and programs not included in the library system’s operating budget, such as educational and cultural programs and innovative library technologies. FOL also advocates for the library budget with the county government to ensure adequate funding for basic library services and collections.
3: How is Friends of the Library funded?
A: Since FOL is not part of the County government or the library system, it raises its own operating funds. FOL raises money through book sales, membership dues, donations, bequests, workplace giving and matching gift programs, grants and special events.
4: How is FOL organized?
A: FOLMC is the umbrella organization for fifteen local chapters at twenty-one branches. The Friends administrative office is on the third floor of the Rockville library located at 21 Maryland Avenue. Each chapter is housed at its branch library. You can reach the administrative office or any chapter by emailing staff@folmc.org.
5: My local public library doesn’t have a Friends chapter — how do we get one started?
A: Most of the County’s public libraries have FOLMC chapters you can be active in; click here for the current list of branch libraries that don’t have an active chapter. The first step in starting a chapter is to talk to that branch’s manager, and find out current plans and how you can help. It can take a significant amount of volunteer time and energy to create a chapter, and working with the staff at your branch can go a long way to making it a success.
There’s a simple form to fill out if you want to reactivate a chapter or start a new one. Contact the Friends administrative office at (240)777-0020 or staff@folmc.org to get a copy of that form and answers to any questions you have about keeping a chapter active. There are ongoing networking and training opportunities available to volunteers, and other service areas, such as the Disability Resource Center and Multicultural Services, that do not have chapters but can also benefit from the contributions of interested volunteers.
6: How can I join FOL or make a donation?
A: If your local library doesn’t have a copy of our membership form, you can download our brochure. We can also accept memberships and donations online.
7: What benefits do I get for my membership?
A: Members receive discounts at FOL bookstores, a subscription to Friends quarterly newsletter, invitations to library and Friends events (like galas and special cultural celebrations), advance notice of book sales and “Literary Feasts,” as well as reduced admission to “Literary Luncheons.” Membership is your opportunity to support libraries; it is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
8: How does my membership benefit libraries?
A: An active and growing membership demonstrates to the County and to grant-giving organizations that the citizens of Montgomery County use and value their libraries. Memberships also provide for library programs that go beyond what the County’s annual budget can provide. Your dues provide funding for children’s library programs such as Summer Reading, Teen Summer Reading and Teen Read Week; new library technologies such as streaming video, lively cultural celebrations and much more.
9: How can I help libraries that have the greatest need?
A: You can make a gift to Friends of the Library and designate the specific branch or service area to benefit. Simply write the name of the branch or service area on the membership form and in the memo section of the check. Mail to the Administrative Office at 21 Maryland Avenue, Suite 310, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Do not make your check payable to a specific library or send it to the branch. If donating online, complete the appropriate section indicating which branch should benefit from your donation.
10: What else can I do to help the libraries in addition to donating money?
A: You can volunteer, shop at the bookstores, donate books to the stores or your local branch, leave FOL in your will, and/or write your councilperson to support full funding of library operations. For more ideas email staff@folmc.org.
11: How do proceeds from Book Sales benefit libraries?
A. When you donate books to your local library, they are sold there to raise funds for that branch. You can donate your books to FOL bookstores where proceeds help support system-wide programs that benefit all libraries or pilot new projects. Due to space limitations, books are often shipped from the branches to FOL bookstores. Regardless of where you donate your books, all libraries benefit.
12: Is my donation tax-deductible?
A: FOL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so your contributions are fully tax-deductible. Of course, we’re not accountants, and you should always confer with your tax professional the fair value of donated goods such as books.
13: What about the County Library Board? What do they do?
The Library Board and its Library Advisory Committees exist to advocate for the Library System and report to the County Executive and Council. The Library Board helps to ensure that the monies apportioned by the County Council are adequate and that such funds are being spent correctly. FOL’s mission is to generate funds that supplement and extend the County’s budget for libraries. FOL collaborates with the Library Board and its Advisory Committees on how to support the libraries both system-wide and at the branch level.
14: What is the Charles W. Gilchrist Volunteer Award?
Friends of the Library gives this annual award in memory of former County Executive Charles W. Gilchrist, who sought to encourage community participation in Montgomery County. It is presented, without regard to race, religion or national origin, to an individual, family, family foundation, corporation, or civic group that has demonstrated exceptional service to Montgomery County Public Libraries through volunteer and/or philanthropic support. To nominate a library volunteer, click here.
