Fundraising is difficult and raising money for libraries has its unique challenges.

The Library Support Network is envisioned as a place to help develop and amplify public library fundraising and advocacy work. It is built on the concept of creating a sustainable network for peer-to-peer sharing and aggregated initiatives for collective impact.

In October 2022, we soft launch a Beta, an experimental pilot that is free thanks to the generosity of several libraries and support organizations in Canada and the US. (You can see the list below.)

If people come to share and support one another as they do at the International Public Library Fundraising (IPLF) Conference, this has the potential to be an incredible resource for peer-to-peer sharing, camaraderie, and resources.

We welcome your feedback and ideas!

Origin Story - Creation of the Network

The Library Support Network (LSN) builds on the success of the International Public Library Fundraising (IPLF) Conference and Library Giving Day, which have helped many public libraries raise money and increase awareness. These initiatives bolstered a growing interest to connect, share best practices, and support one another.

The Backstory

When the pandemic hit, it created an opportunity to reflect on the needs and possible solutions. Here is how the LSN was conceived:

Fall 2021, Seattle Public Library Foundation commissioned a feasibility study of library directors and support professionals to learn whether network interest is widespread.
Jan 2022, Jonna Ward, Dawn Coppin, Leslie Modrow, Jenni Gaisbauer, and Paula Sakey formed a work group to analyze survey results and convene a planning session with survey responder volunteers.
March 2022, 57 people volunteered to come together to review the survey results and discuss pain points, unmet needs, and how to move forward.
June 2022, survey findings and a platform prototype were shared with attendees of the IPLF Virtual Conference. More people wanted to get involved and the original work group expanded to include Jill Joplin, Natalie Ganz, Tina Gills, Margaret Perkins-McGuinness, and Beth Burns to form the Steering Committee.
Summer/Fall 2022, the Steering Committee developed a detailed prospectus/proposal to help seek grant funding for a two-year pilot. Steering Committee member organizations and other large foundations became Founding Funders so the project could continue until a lead funder is secured.

Soft Launch of the Library Support Network Pilot

While seeking a lead donor for a two-year pilot, we moved forward with a “soft launch” of a VERY basic Library Support Network Beta. By invitation, IPLF Conference attendees and volunteers can register for free access to participate in a series of three monthly convenings and use the platform for posting and sharing resources.

With a challenge match commitment from the Knight Foundation, we enter the pilot phase as of March 2023.

Details for the full Library Support Network Pilot

If you would like to read the detailed information, here is a summary of the pilot concept. If you have ideas for potential funders, please message Jonna Ward.

Founding Funders

Special thanks to these 25 organizations for providing seed funding to launch the Library Support Network Community.

Austin Public Library Foundation
Berkeley Public Library Foundation
Billings Public Library Foundation
Boston Public Library Fund
Brooklyn Public Library
Calgary Public Library Foundation
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation
Chicago Public Library Foundation
DC Public Library Foundation
DeKalb Library Foundation
Denver Public Library Foundation
Friends of the Hennepin County Library
Friends of Saint Paul Public Library
Kansas City Public Library
King County Library System Foundation
Lexington Public Library & Library Foundation
Library Foundation of Los Angeles
Library Foundation SD (San Diego)
Nashville Public Library Foundation
New York Public Library
Richland Library Friends and Foundation
San Jose Public Library Foundation
Seattle Public Library Foundation
St. Louis Public Library Foundation
Vancouver Public Library Foundation

If you would like to become a funder, you can chat with Jonna Ward or learn how to make a gift a https://supportspl/lsn/

Vision, Mission & Values

The Library Support Network concept was formed from the following Vision, Mission, and Values.

Vision

The Library Support Network envisions thriving public libraries at the heart of every healthy, vibrant, inclusive, and socially just community.

Mission

To achieve this vision, the Library Support Network provides infrastructure support to develop a web of high-performance fundraising and advocacy organizations across North America through an online community, the International Public Library Fundraising Conference, and Library Giving Day.

The Library Support Network exists to accelerate the development of public/private library partnerships with two primary goals:

Secure more private funding used to leverage the public investment for outsized impact
Build a network of supporters and advocates to protect and defend their libraries

Achieving these goals requires helping organizations develop and amplify fundraising and advocacy work through peer-to-peer sharing and collective effort, such as:

Facilitated chat and other spontaneous engagement to support real-time information sharing
Scheduled events for peer discussion and opportunities to learn from subject matter experts
Recorded training webinars— for example, recorded conference presentations
Library of samples and tools

Values

Distinct values have shaped this informal network and will continue as guiding principles:

Peer-to-peer culture of sharing — stop reinventing the wheel
Belief in the power of networks and a willingness to contribute for the greater good
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles and practices to influence our work and foster racial diversity in our sector and beyond
Inclusive of all — large and small, established and forming
More than fundraising — advocacy is critical
Build power and influence for the good of all public libraries
Low overhead and simple governance
Open and transparent communications — solicit feedback about what we’re grappling with to shape decision-making

DEI Statement

The network is uniquely positioned to provide training, mentorship, and resources to enable the support organizations and their libraries to achieve greater diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) outcomes and advance social justice. We encourage and foster the advancement of racial diversity and DEI commitments in our organizations which will impact board and donor diversity.

Governance

The Seattle Public Library Foundation is the project manager for the Library Support Network Pilot offering its legal and tax-exempt status.

A Steering Committee provides advice and ensures delivery of the project outputs and the achievement of project outcomes. Jonna Ward is chairing the committee.

Project management is provided by Megan McNally, principal, of Doyenne Strategies who conducted the Feasibility Study, prototype, and case development. Once a lead funder is secured, pilot management will transition to community and content manager contractors.

As of July 2023, the Steering Committee is comprised of:

Beth Burns, President, Friends of the St Paul Public Library
Dawn Coppin, Ph.D., Executive Director, San José Public Library Foundation
Natalie Ganz, Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer, Library Foundation SD (San Diego)
Jenni Gaisbauer, CFRE, Executive Director, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation
Tina Gills, CFRE, Development Director, Richland Library
Shenise Johnson-Thomas, Chief of External Relations and Development, Cleveland Public Library
Jill Joplin, Executive Director, DeKalb Library Foundation
Will Merrick, Executive Director, Pioneer Library System Foundation
Margaret Perkins-McGuinness, Deputy Director for Philanthropy, Kansas City Public Library
Paula Sakey, Executive Director, Boston Public Library Fund
Jonna Ward, Chief Executive Officer, Seattle Public Library Foundation

Presuming the pilot validates great value through usage and key metrics, it will be time to build a sustainable and scalable Library Support Network. We anticipate the network can continue with three clear revenue streams:

Scaled membership fees based on organizational size and member type
Sponsorships, such as value-added sponsored content and activities
Conference and webinar registration fees from nonmembers

Long-term, we hope to find a permanent home with another organization whose work aligns with ours and that has an appetite and desire to lead the public library profession in this area.

Welcome to the Library Support Network

About Us

Vision