Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF)

To reinforce and publicize the importance of Friends of the Library projects, the MALF Board will offer an award for achievement in Friends support for libraries. Award criteria and guidelines are available at www.malf.info. The award includes $250 to the winning organization plus a recognition plaque.

Selected by a judging committee, the finalists will be asked to give a presentation at the 2007 Minnesota Library Association Annual Conference in Mankato, MN. These presentations will describe the design, development and impact of their Friends effort. MALF hopes that all Friends organizations will participate in this effort to recognize, share, learn from, and reward effective Friends activities.

2007 Best Project by Library Friends Award Criteria and Application Guidelines

Who May Apply:
Friends of the Library organizations that are current members of the Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF) may apply. Application and payment for new or renewed membership in MALF will be accepted with an award entry form. The award will be made to a Friends organization rather than to an individual.

What May be Submitted:

1. Any Friends-supported project will be considered. Examples include a brochure or publication, a service, event, fundraiser, newsletter, Web-page, or campaign.
2. Efforts which were jointly sponsored or developed by the library or with other groups, such as local businesses and agencies, are eligible, as are projects which received assistance from other agencies. As long as the library or Friends of the Library was the primary benefactor, the submission is eligible.
3. The project must have been implemented after January 1, 2006.

How to Apply:

Friends of the Library may submit more than one entry. For each entry, fill out the entry form or a facsimile. Enclose a sample(s) with your entry. Photographs may document an item or event. Entries must be received by Friday, August 24, 2007.

Entries Should Be Mailed To:
Minnesota Association of Library Friends
Best Project by Friends Award Committee
1619 Dayton Avenue Suite 314
Saint Paul, MN 55104

How Entries Will Be Judged:
At the MLA Annual Conference on Thursday, October 25 in Mankato, MN, the finalists will be expected to make a presentation about their project, addressing the following criteria: Impact, outcome or results, Objectives, Planning Process, Participants, Cost Effectiveness, Publicity, Evaluation Method, Target Audience, and Funding Source.

For information, contact:

Barb Byers, Minnesota Association of Library Friends, 651-227-0845, 883 Fairmount Av., St. Paul, MN 55105, barbarabyers@comcast.net .