National Friends of the Library Week

The inner workings of libraries can be mysterious. This is no accident. Librarians and library staff work hard to make most of our processes invisible to the communities we serve in order to make the experience of using the library's services and resources smooth and seamless. While we at Armacost strive to continue to maintain that mystery, we also want to be sure to acknowledge community members who help us do our best work.

One of the most discreet forces behind the functionality and progressiveness of libraries is an organization created to support and oversee the continuation of the library’s services to the community. Most county, special collections, and city libraries fondly know them as the Friends of the Library. With monthly meetings that are sometimes open to the public, the Friends of the Library work hard to oversee the collection at the library, generate funds through book sales and other events, and can help to better the library’s global and social presence and involvement.

For academic libraries, such as the Armacost Library here at the University of Redlands, there is an advisory board composed of the Director of the Library, faculty, students, and other members of the university community. The responsibility of discussing what direction the library is going in and making plans to better the overall environment and goals of the library are left to this capable council of members. Sometimes, they decide where the art of the library will go and whose art ought to be hung on the walls. Other times, they advise staff on updates to hours or circulation policies.

For example, in the past, the Library Advisory Board for the Armacost Library gave valuable input when the library discussed renovating the learning commons. They also advised on the Armacost Community Agreement and various job descriptions for the staff currently working at the library. They, not only, impact the structure of the library, but also create future opportunities for the community it serves. Their input d​uring the migration to our current Integrated Library System (aka: the library catalog) was especially important.

Although the Library Advisory Board hasn’t been active for a while due to shifts in the library, Annie Downey, current Associate Provost and Director of the A​rmacost Library and Learning Commons, is planning to reconvene the Board this academic year and looks forward to working with this group of UofR community members who are “dedicated to the library” and she hopes to do many more projects with them. Current Librarians also note that they create a connection with the library and campus. Also, there are members of the library community interested in leading them into furthering their goals for the Armacost Library and the University of Redlands.

Whether it is at a public, special, or academic library, those who support, protect, and better the use of the library for their community will always be those who raise awareness for their cause. The mission of the Armacost Library include providing services to all walks of life on campus and beyond. 

Conveniently, the Armacost Library is open to the public due to the government documents available on the 4th floor of the building. However, a non-Redlands faculty member, student, or staff member are required to have library cards to check out the information. Accessing the library and viewing the documents require nothing but a curious mind.

So, come and witness the hard work that the Library's Advisory Board, Librarians, Library Staff, and Student Library Clerks put in to make this dream work.